Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 12
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
Commentary:
12:12 John whose other name was Mark will be a major figure in the next three chapters, going with Paul and Barnabas on the first part of their first missionary journey but then leaving them (see v. 25; 13:5, 13). This was a cause of contention between Paul and Barnabas (see 15:37, 39). Mark regained Paul’s favor later (see Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Mark accompanied Peter (see 1 Pet. 5:13), and there is substantial testimony from the early church that he wrote the Gospel of Mark (see Introduction to Mark: Author and Title).
12:13–14 Rhoda’s failure to open the gate on account of her joy adds a touch of humor and heightens the suspense.
12:13–14 Rhoda’s failure to open the gate on account of her joy adds a touch of humor and heightens the suspense.
Questions:
- The first takeaway from Sunday was that God is sovereign in SUFFERING. Here's a quote Clayton shared from theologian Thomas Schreiner: "Peter’s deliverance demonstrates God’s sovereignty; no believer dies before God wills it to happen. At the same time, God’s ways are not calculable or easy to discern. Certainly God could have delivered James as well, but in his wisdom and sovereignty he rescued Peter but not James. Sometimes believers are rescued and sometimes they suffer, and advance notice is not given about what will happen to any particular person. The church and individuals are called upon to trust God whether their destiny is suffering or deliverance." Does the fact that God is in control bring you any sort of peace about your own life and death? Are you ever guilty of trying to control your life, possibly even fighting against God's sovereign plan?
- We see God's sovereignty clearest in the cross. It was God's will that the Son suffer so that God's justice and righteousness might collide with His mercy and grace. It was only through Jesus' suffering and resurrection that we might be saved from eternal suffering in hell and be raised to new life in Christ. It was also necessary in order to bring Jesus glory that He might be praised for who He is. God used the greatest suffering ever for the greatest good and glory ever. The bottom line is, sometimes trusting God means you don't get to get off the cross. Are you struggling to trust God through your suffering? How do you go about shifting your perspective in order to actively trust God when it's the most difficult to do so?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would rest in God's sovereignty.
- That you would learn to trust Him even when you don't understand.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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