Acts 12 DELIVERANCE Inserted in the account of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church and, through God's people the spread of the Gospel, is an illustrative account to show us an inside view of an assembly. This chapter ends the part of the book of Acts where Jerusalem is the focal point of the work. Enemies of God who are manipulated by the devil were, and are today, at work to stop the impact of the Gospel on the people. Whether Herod was trying to consolidate his authority in Jerusalem, or whether he thought the expanding church was a threat is not stated. But one can imagine that when healing miracles and supernatural power was evident wherever
God's people were found, he would want to demonstrate his authority over them. Most bullies want to hurt, maim or kill to impress others and to dominate them. The power of the risen Christ he took as a challenge to his position.
For His own sovereign reason, the Lord allowed the death of James. All the believers in Jerusalem would again be made conscious of the fact by the death of James (John's brother), that the enemies of God's people were not going to leave God's work alone and unchallenged. There are times when we need to take extraordinary action in prayer to deal with extraordinary opposition. When Peter was arrested, they realized James' death was not an isolated incident. The prayer meeting was no casual midweek prayer meeting like so many seem to think of assembly prayer meetings today. Some believers testify by their absence that they do not think it is very important to come together at the throne of grace and pray as one voice. The prayer meeting in Jerusalem was an urgent, fervent, constant appeal to the Lord as the saints gathered at the throne of grace "to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." To some of God's people prayer is a secondary exercise that comes behind their business and pleasure or other things they want to do - until a life or death issue arises.
Herod's apparent intention was to strike at the leaders of the church - the apostles - probably hoping the other believers would abandon the faith. By deliberately dealing with Peter publicly at the same season of the year and in the same way the Lord Jesus Christ was treated before He died, he hoped the whole movement would be stopped. The Passover was just past and Peter was to brought to trial the next day. Some lessons in life we learn best are learned when there is no solution expected but God miraculously intervenes. Peter was peaceful in his sleep because he had learned Herod didn't have the power to kill him by the sword. The Lord Jesus had told him earlier he would die when he was old with his arms stretched out, girded by another and carried. The way he was delivered from prison this time was different than the first time it had happened to John and him. Now he was chained between two soldiers, and soldiers were guarding the door. But this time the light went on in the prison, an angel poked him in the ribs and told him to get up quickly and get dressed. By the time the angel and Peter were a street away from the prison, he finally realized this wasn't a dream he was having. This was a real deliverance.
There are times in our lives when we are resigned to what we think is inevitable, and then God changes everything. In a moment of time, or in some significant conversation our whole life is changed. A doctor may say, "I find no further evidence of cancer." Or you are informed that someone has taken care of your serious problem. What you were sure was going to stop everything is no longer a threat. All we can do at such times is to thank God for His abundant mercy. When a sick or lost child is delivered to us safely again, we find no difficulty thanking God with tears fro His great love wherewith He loved us.
Still, it is possible to pray without expecting results from our petitions. There is a sense of relief when we unburden ourselves before God. By expressing our concern for others when we pray together with prayers of intercession, we may think this is all that can be done. When answers come that are "exceeding abundant above all that we can ask or think," we find ourselves like those Jerusalem brothers and sisters - astounded beyond belief that prayer worked. The power of God was at work for us and we are ashamed that we doubted God. God is working for us to do His own will. His answers are not always what we expect. At times the wonders of God are just more than our minds can conceive. One thing about this illustrative incident recorded in Luke's account that we can learn from is that nothing is impossible with God. Don't take any difficulty - or blessing - for granted. Of all the marvelous things that happened in that assembly of saints, this one is written down to remind us of God's on-going interest and involvement in our lives.
A defeated Herod gave up his challenge for the moment and went back to Caesarea where Cornelius lived and worked. In an attempt to impress his constituency, and in their attempt to flatter him, he made a speech that would never be forgotten by them. While he was speaking, he was eaten from the inside and died a terrible death. God's glory He will not give to another. In vain do the powers of men seek to stop the sovereign plans of God. But people will try and try again - and they are still doing that today. To many of the leaders of the world, and the rank-and-file as well, it is impossible to accept the fact they are under the authority of the unseen God. We do not wrestle against principalities and powers. They are under the control of spiritual wickedness in high places. We dare not lower our guard in any way when things seem to be smooth and comfortable. Let us be vigilant as we see the enemies of God trying different and subtle ways to destroy the work of God. Most of all, let us be fervent in prayer and diligent in our calling to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.