Daily Devotionals

Escaping Ordinary Week 11: Thursday

"He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place."  Acts 12:17

Who is the first person you call when you receive good news? Is it your best friend? Is it your spouse? Is it a family member? For me, it is a tie between my sister and my mom. They are the first people I share the good news with. Whomever it is that you share the good news with, I think we can all agree that good news is just too good to keep to ourselves. This is especially true when we discover that God has been answering a prayer that we have been praying. The news is just too good to keep to ourselves.

We have been studying Acts 12 this week, where we see an incredible example of God answering the prayers of members of the early church. The church was being persecuted, and Peter, one of the key leaders of the church, had been arrested. When this happened, the church turned to God and prayed. Miraculously Peter was rescued from prison and went straight to a place where many early church members were so they could know that He had been rescued from prison. Of course, they were amazed to see him. Amidst all of their excitement, “he motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison” (verse 17). He shared with them how God had worked and answered their prayers. Not only this, but then Peter told them to tell “James and the other brothers” what had happened. He wanted them to spread the word about how God had answered their prayers and rescued Peter. After all, this was incredible news and too amazing to stay silent about. 

Friends, the ways that God answers our prayers and works in our lives is too good to stay silent about. In His power, love, and kindness, He takes care of us and answers prayers every day. We cannot keep the way He answers prayers and takes care of us to ourselves. How has He answered your prayers? Will you share these things with the people around you today?

Moving toward action

Yesterday you were challenged to list some prayers you have seen God answer in your life. If you have not done that yet, take a few minutes to do that. After making this list, pick one of the prayers God has answered in your life and share it with one person today. As you do this, you will encourage the person who is listening in their faith and make God’s name great.

Going Deeper

 Acts 12:17-25 (NLT)

" He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.

18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

24 Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them."