UNEXPECTED ANSWERS

Have you prayed for an answer, but the answer has not yet arrived? Would you recognize the answer if it were to come today? 

The story of Peter’s supernatural rescue from prison gives us a glimpse into the heart of God and how His ways and thoughts are so much higher than our ways and thoughts. He answers prayer, but not always according to our timing and expectations.

Acts 12 tells us that Peter was arrested and delivered to four squads of soldiers. Typically, a squad included eight soldiers. So, it took thirty-two soldiers to guard one non-violent, unarmed man. Meanwhile, the church was earnestly praying for Peter’s release.

Peter, bound with chains, fell asleep between two soldiers with sentries posted at the door of the prison. In thinking about his situation, it is doubtful that I would have had enough peace to fall into a sound sleep, as did Peter. 

An angel of the Lord stood next to Peter, struck him on the side, and woke him saying, “Get up quickly.” Before we go further, it is important to note that Peter’s chains did not fall off until he obeyed the angel’s command to get up without hesitation. Has God told you to do something and yet you have hesitated and refused to obey His command? Disobedience enslaves us and obedience releases us to obey God’s instructions and receive from Him. 

When Peter stood in obedience, his chains fell off and the angel ordered him to dress, wrap a cloak around himself, and follow him past the two guards. As they approached an iron gate, it opened of its own accord and they went out along a street, and the angel left. 

Peter quickly went to the house of Mary, the mother of John where they were all gathered together praying for Peter’s release. When he knocked at the door of the gateway, Rhoda, a servant girl, came to answer the door. She recognized Peter’s voice and instead of opening the door, she ran to tell the others that Peter was at the door. They responded, “You are out of your mind!” Despite her insistence that Peter was waiting at the door, they argued, “It is his angel!” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking on the door. When they finally opened the door, they were shocked to see him standing before them (Acts 12:1-17).

How often do we pray and either we do not fully expect our prayer to be answered, or we have our own idea of how that prayer should be answered? So, when the answer comes, we, like those who were praying for Peter, fail to recognize or believe that God has answered our prayer. 

God not only knows our every need, He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We might want a new home or a new car, even though what we have is adequate, but He knows what the future holds and whether we will have the ability to keep up with payments. That is not to say that He does not provide for our “wants.” But first, He looks at the heart and our level of obedience to see what is most important to us. Is our focus more on acquiring things, or do we love God enough to accept His will and be at peace with what He does provide?  

We have the blessed assurance that if we abide in Him and His Words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us (John 15:7). God tells us that before we even call to Him, He will answer. While we are yet speaking, He will hear us (Isaiah 65:24). 

I cannot tell you how many times God has answered a “need” and even a “want,” before I expressed it to Him in prayer, for He knows the intentions of the heart. We can have confidence in Him, that He hears us, if we ask with the right motives, according to His will (John 5:14). Though He knows our every thought and desire, He wants us to vocalize those to Him. Then when that prayer is answered, we know to give Him all praise and thanksgiving. 

My husband and I pray before making any purchases or any decisions and ask God for wisdom and guidance. When we place His authority and direction before our own desires, He never lets us down. Jesus said, “…whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." But we must ask with right motives and that His will is done? (Mark 11:24)

I have learned this about answered prayer: when we ask God for something, the response will come in one of three ways: Yes, No, or Wait. Of course, we all want to hear yes. However, God has His reasons for no and for wait. Regardless of the answer, we must trust Him. 

It is very difficult to have faith if we do not trust God. If we trust in God’s goodness and His perfect will, then we can trust and have total confidence that He will do the right thing for us. Peter had such great confidence in God and His plan for his life, that he was able to sleep peacefully in chains between two soldiers, in a cold and damp prison.

Are you caught in a prison of circumstances that you have no control over? Or maybe you have a need that requires God’s intervention. If you and others have been praying and waiting, yet the answer has not yet come, keep believing and trusting God, so that when the answer arrives, you will recognize its appearing and give thanks to Him. 

PRAYER: FATHER, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Help me to surrender my will to You and trust You in all circumstances. Prepare my heart to recognize, receive, and accept Your answer. Thank you for Your unwavering love and the fulfillment of Your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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