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By Marv Fisher
Guest Columnist

We all have “why” questions that we think deserve answers or explanations from God. Many times we receive silence from God concerning the why’s, but He is always faithful concerning His promises to help us in time of need. 

In Acts 12, persecution in the early stages of the church is growing for all who speak publicly of Jesus Christ and salvation by faith in Him. One of Jesus’ chosen disciples is martyred by Herod. A few verses later, another of His disciples is miraculously rescued from prison and death.

The family of James must have wondered, why did daddy die, and Peter was rescued? If God chose James to be in the inner circle of disciples, why couldn’t He protect him from the bitter grip of Herod? We know God has the power to miraculously save anyone, why wouldn’t He use that power to save James from death as He did for Peter?

As we study through the book of Acts, we will see other similar stories of the deliverance and death of the people called Christians. For the follower of Christ, surrender to God brings peace to the heart, knowing that God works all things for the good for those that love Christ and are called according to His purpose, even purposes we don’t understand at the time. Death is viewed differently from God’s perspective. He is bringing us home.

Hardship and even death are not something we just blow off as “no big deal”. Emotions and feelings are real, pain is tiring, and can drain our resistance. God promises to be our good Shepherd who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. May He give us great comfort when fear creeps in around our soul. 

Fear of rejection or persecution can be a great hindrance to sharing our faith. May we rest in the sovereign plan of God to keep us going until our time to go home. And may we trust Him more when we understand less.

At the end of Acts chapter 12 we find an important perspective that looks down at our lives from God’s view. It simply states: “But the Word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” God used persecution, death and imprisonment to expand His good work of redeeming lives for eternity. 

May our hearts trust God enough to say, “If God is glorified, I am satisfied.”

MARV FISHER is the pastor at Calvary Chapel Farmville and can be heard weekdays at 1:30 p.m. on 105.3 Equip FM radio. He can be reached at pastor@ccfarmville.org.