DO YOU BELIEVE GOD FOR AN ANSWER?
SONG
He is able, abundantly able
To deliver and to save
God is able, abundantly able
To deliver those who trust in Him.
TEXT
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him... And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate... And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.- (Acts chapter 12 verses 5 to 14.)
How sure is your faith with regards to what you are asking from God?
The book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 says "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see ..." [AMPLIFIED VERSION]
Yes, the amplified version rightly emphasizes faith as "the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for,..." Faith is accepting God's facts over Satan's facts and/or what is seen physically.
Apostle Peter was imprisoned by King Herod after the beheading of apostle James. The believers got together to pray for the release of Peter.
From the Scripture reading for today, we see that the zeal to pray was there but there seemed not to be the requisite or corresponding faith to receive from God. One may commend them for their zeal to pray without ceasing, but their faith evidently did not measure up to receiving from God the wonderful answer that came after.
Rhoda, who was just a little girl in the house, had more faith than the rest of them. When there was a knock at the door she came to see who the person was. The moment she heard Peter's voice, she ran back with joy saying that Peter stood before the gate. (Acts 22 verse 13)
No one in the house believed her report. They thought her to be mad. Eventually they discovered that she was right.
These were people that were seriously seeking the face of God for the release of their fellow brother; but when the answer to their prayer showed up they could not accept the fact.
In yet another instance that relates to Zecharias, the Bible says in the book of Luke chapter 1 verse 13 that "... the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John."
From the statement of the angel as aforesaid, we understand that Zacharias had been praying for a child. The angel came with the good news that his prayer was heard; and that his wife Elisabeth would bear him a son. Zacharias did not believe God's message through the angel.
It is a very common phenomenon among believers to pray without the requisite faith for an answer from God. They seem to forget that without faith it is impossible to please God and that he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11 verse 6)
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I receive the grace, never to doubt Your ability to do whatever You say You would do, in Jesus' Mighty name.