2022_02_11 Insight Post- Emma Keeton

- February 11, 2022

This week’s reading- Acts 11-12

Acts chapter 12 this week begins with a jolt. We are told that James, the brother of John was put to death by the sword. He and his brother John, along with Peter, were considered to be in Jesus’ inner circle. Together they saw events that no one else did, like the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3) and Jesus’ pain in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37). Not many details are given about James’ death, but it was a political move on Herod Agrippa’s part. James would be the first apostle to lose his life for Christ.

Herod seizes Peter next and plans to keep him in prison until there is a politically beneficial moment to execute him. What Herod did not take into account was the Christians who were praying for his release. Two soldiers were chained to Peter and another two were keeping guard at the door. Through the power of prayer an angel wakes Peter and literally frees him. Peter walks straight out and the soldiers do not notice!

We have here two very contrasting stories. Peter’s is a great testimony, the kind we are eager to retell. It reminds us of how good God is, of how “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Yet James’ story does not elicit the same response. It may cause us to wrestle with why bad things happen to good people.

Things in our own lives can feel quite unfair. God is in charge of all things, everything is sifted through his hands, so why would he allow this to happen?

While there is no easy answer to this question God could be leading us towards a different perspective. An eternal perspective.“¹⁶We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

I was told a story recently about some monks who lived together in a current day monastery. A tornado was on course to hit them and someone who lived nearby quickly went to deliver the message. When he arrived he found the monks praying together in the courtyard. After hearing about the impending tornado they simply responded “what would it matter?” And remained in the same location……

Prayer

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Job 1:21

Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead