Acts 12: God of the Hills & God of the Valleys

The more I study the scripture, the more I see the need for the low points in my life.

I’m convinced that we have to experience the desperate, weary, heavy laden days, weeks, months, or even years to understand the overwhelming grace of God when we exprience the highs. When we feel the downs, & I mean REALLY feel the downs.. the highs are that much more glorious.

What about Peter?

Peter knew what it was like to deny Christ.

Peter knew what it felt like to disappoint the Savior of the world – Jesus even looked his way after Peter denied him 3 times. I can’t imagine how it must have felt… to have the eyes of Christ saddened by my disapproval & denial of Him.

In Acts 12, Peter is in prison (with numerous guards watching over him might I add). This was right after Peter obediently went to preach to the Gentiles, a group previously rejected as being a part of God’s chosen ones.

I think we forget many times that the apostles were still human. If Jesus himself experienced intense emotions (see His prayers here: Matthew 26:36-56; Luke 22:39-46; John 13:21-14:31), then the apostles were not an exception to them.

So I imagine Peter probably felt confused & maybe sad. I’m sure he wondered why God allowed him to be arrested. That’s how we operate. We can’t see the bigger picture when we are in the valley most of the time.

Peter was rescued from the prison by an angel. Literally.

Here’s what I know:

For every low, God’s grace shows brighter than any low prior.

For every low, God’s mercy amazes me when He restores my soul.

For every low, God is still good.

For every low, God is still working.

For every low, God is STILL getting the glory.

God,

Help me to understand the purpose for the low points in my life. Help me to see your will at work even when I don’t FEEL like you’re working. I want to be a vessel of your grace. I want to experience life fully devoted to bringing you glory, whatever it takes. Help me to recognize my drifting thoughts, my depressed moods, & my anxious tendencies so that I can submit them to you regardless ofthe surrounding circumstances. Heal our hearts. Purify our minds. Your will be done. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.

Amen.