Tag: God hears

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God Hears, Preserves, Hides

God hears, preserves, hides

Ps 64-66 It is so reassuring to know that God hears our voices and our prayers. As he opens Ps 64, he says, “Hear my voice, O God, Preserve my life, Hide me.” We can go to God and pray those exact words when we face the enemies of our souls. This is such a great comfort as the evil one is all around us, and we face their taunts day in and day out, yet our God is greater, mightier, and ever-present.

There is an old saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me lives in an ivory tower! Sticks and stones genuinely do hurt, and words hurt as well, yet God hears, God sees, and God will respond with His protection. “the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'” [Zech 2:5]

Today you may face the enemy’s plethora of words. They are just words. Take them to God, who hears, preserves, and hides His children.

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Continuing Through Acts: Chapter 12

“Do You Believe in Prayer or Not?”

acts 12 prayer2King Herod, of Herod fame, inflicts harm on the early church to please the Jews. But, God is at work both in and behind the scenes as we read this chapter and see the fulfillment of the words of Jesus “Upon this rock I will build “MY” church and the gates of hell shall not prevail.” [Matt 16] Satan may seek to bring the church into disfavor but he fails to realize that what he seeks to disarm God will use to bring about good. [Rom 8:28]

But, just as then, we are often befuddled at God’s working. Why did God allow James to be executed but released Peter? This is one of those “secret things” that belongs to God alone and will be revealed in eternity. [Deut 29:29]

Dr. Luke refreshingly gives us some comedic relief of the persecution of the early church with his account of Peter’s release from jail. While Peter sleeps, King Herod gleefully waits for daybreak of the day after a solemn religious holiday to murder him. Sound familiar? We remember that was the plan for Jesus as well. Into this mix we find the church persistently praying for Peter. But after an angel miraculously releases him and he arrives in the middle of their prayer meeting they tell Rhoda “she has lost her mind.” Again, like the account of Jesus’ resurrection, it is called nonsense.

Dr. Luke gives us this chapter to show us that God not only hears the prayers of the church but opens the windows of heaven.

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