Acts 16:16 – 25

Lessons we can learn from this passage:

1. God can intervene to stop our suffering. Immediately!

• Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

2. God does not always intervene when we want Him to or the way we want Him to.

• 1 Samuel 14:6 (NASB) 6Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.”

3. God does intervene sometimes in amazing ways to rescue us when He deems it best.

• Acts 12:6 – 10 (NASB)
  

6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said* to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

4. When He doesn’t fix things immediately and He lets us suffer for a little while (For His divine reasons): Find a way to pray and praise!

Instead of complaining or calling on God to punish their enemies, the two men prayed and praised God. When you are in pain, the midnight hour is not the easiest time for a worship service , but God gives “songs in the night”.

Job 35:10 (NLT) 10 Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?

Psalms 42: 8 (NLT) 8 But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Monday Morning Moment: Prayer and praise are powerful weapons!