READ | Acts 12:5,Romans 5:1-5
Studying the book of Acts we come upon a story that seems filled with hopelessness. James had recently been killed by Herod. Peter was in prison, and was held there so that he could be brought “before the people” after Passover. He was guarded by 16 soldiers, and chained to two of them. Was Peter’s situation hopeless?
The church was praying fervently for Peter. It was the middle of the night, but a group was gathered to pray. Peter had been in prison for several days, but they were still praying. Maybe it was because Peter was to be tried the next day. Were they praying with hope that God would answer, or because the situation was hopeless?
Peter had been in prison before, and was miraculously freed by an angel. When Peter was taken to the prison, did he lose hope, or did he think, “Hey, I’ve been here before”?
The reason to have hope is separate from our situation. We do not have hope because we see a glimmer of light, or because we know that our friends are working to save us. We do not have hope because positive thinking will solve our problem. We do not have hope in our ability to think of a way out of a bad situation.
Paul tells us we have hope because we have Jesus. And even if we have trials, they still give us hope. We have hope totally without regard for our situation. We have hope because the love of God is poured out in our hearts.
This is one of the truly funny stories in the Bible. An angel frees Peter (again) and he comes to the house where they were praying for him. They did not believe that it was him! They left him out in the street, where he was in danger of being discovered and returned to prison. The very thing they were praying for had been provided, and they almost missed it. Pray with hope in the One who has poured out His love upon us. He hears your prayers. And He answers.
Written by Scott Sibley, Member of Hope Community Church and Short-Term Missionary to Ghana
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