“Because of her joy, she did not open the gate, but ran in and
announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate” (Acts. 12:14).
Hey Gang, is that not a loaded question! Show me someone that has never done anything
dumb! You can’t, because that person has
never been born, with one exception. Confession time: I am totally convinced
that I have made more dumb mistakes than anyone I have ever had the pleasure to
meet and get to know.
I truly believe that God had me in mind when He
put into Paul’s heart, mind and letter this neat fringe benefit for those who
love Him and are called according to His purpose: “And we know that God causes all thing to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom.
8:28).
When we chose to leave California and good jobs,
home and excellent chances for climbing the corporate ladder to become an ‘unemployed
director of a non-existent boy’s home’, most folks thought we were dumb. You’re going to do what? Was a common
question. Even our families thought we
were a wee bit unattached.
But, as I read the Word, I find that there are
many examples of people who do very strange things, like see a bush on fire and
not burn or talk to a donkey. In the
Scripture, we find Peter has been set free from prison by an angel of the Lord
and went to the house of Mary -where many of the followers of Jesus were
praying for that precise thing to happen.
James had been executed and Herod was planning to
add Peter to the “dearly departed” the next morning. One might think that he, Peter, would be on
his knees pleading with God to intervene on his behalf but, strange as it may
seem, he was sleeping. He was not
mentioned in the Hebrew’s Hall of Faith but he certainly qualified for membership.
The Church was praying for him and God was at
work on the other side of the city dispatching an angel to set Peter free. When Peter arrived at the gate of Mary’s
house and rang the doorbell, Rhonda came to answer and in her excitement left
Peter standing at the gate and went to tell the others. Now, that folks, is strange.
Now, let’s look beyond the strangeness to the
source of the power of this story. Have
you ever felt like your prayers were like bricks that fall to the ground as
soon as they are uttered? If so, perhaps you need someone to agree with you in
prayer. Jesus did say “If two or you agree about anything…it will
be done for you by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). In Ecclesiastes 4:12
Solomon, the second wisest man, to walk the earth wrote,-“A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart”.
You, your prayer partner and the Holy Spirit
make one tough cord with the ingredients to drive slimy, slue foot and his
minions back to the sewer, his temporary dwelling while awaiting his permanent
eternal home in the tar pits of eternity.
Blessings,
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