God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 12
JESUS HAS A RESCUE JUST FOR YOU
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (Acts 12:1-3a)
The storyline of Acts chapter 12 is mostly about Peter. It tells all about his arrest, imprisonment and miraculous delivery by an angel in response to the prayers of the church.
But what about James?
Was no one praying for him? Were no angels available for his rescue? Was God angry with him, or maybe just off the clock?
James, the brother of John, was one of Jesus’ three closest friends on earth. He was a faithful disciple and witness, and a good man. Why was he not delivered, too?
Who says he wasn’t?
Don’t you think streets of gold are an upgrade from streets of mud and stone? Don’t you think endless love and light are upgrades from constant opposition and darkness? Don’t you think a new body, perfectly healthy and strong is an upgrade from the mortal flesh we hold so dear?
Make no mistake about this. James did not get the short end of the stick. He did not get a second-class salvation from the Lord. His rescue was every bit as gracious as Peter’s, it was just of another kind, and of a kind that God knew would be the very best for him.
Be encouraged by this today. God has promised to deliver you from trouble, and no matter how bad your circumstance looks, He will come through for you! Just remember that deliverance comes in different forms. When you do, you’ll be freed up to find the hope in this truth: Jesus has a rescue just for you.
-Pastor Phillip
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