SURPRISED BY GOD

August 15

Bible Reading: Acts 12:12-17

Acts 12:16, “But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.”

Having been miraculously rescued from prison by an angel of the Lord, Peter made his way to a prayer meeting being held on his behalf. The people were hesitant to believe the servant girl when she reported Peter had arrived. Peter kept knocking, and when they finally opened the gate and saw the answer to their prayers standing there, they were amazed!

We experienced a similar joyous amazement at the beginning of a Sunday evening service. We received the news that David had responded to treatment, and it looked like he was going to be okay. Though many had been earnestly praying for him, God’s answer still surprised us.

Some days earlier, David’s wife had found him lying on the floor, a victim of an apparent heart attack. She performed CPR, but they didn’t know how long he had been deprived of oxygen. He was transported to OHSU and placed on an ECMO machine (an ECMO machine pumps blood outside the body to remove carbon dioxide and send oxygen-rich blood back). Despite this, his condition had not improved and remained unconscious and unresponsive.  But people continued to pray earnestly.

I was with David’s wife and children in his ICU room when, as suggested by the physician, they said their final goodbyes. The doctors held a meeting with the family, explaining that since there had been no improvement after days on the ECMO machine, they planned to remove treatment. That was the last update I had received until the call came that he was going to recover. Needless to say, there was much rejoicing at this surprising and miraculous news. How good it is for us to pray to a God who can well surprise us and is always exceeding our expectations! 

In his commentary on the book of Acts, Jack Andrews writes, “The early church was used by God to reach their world for Jesus. They saw the power of God change hearts, save souls, rescue His children, and release those bound up by Satan.  Entire cities turned to Christ and the whole world turned upside down! The early church understood the importance and significance of prayer. They spent much time together in prayer, many hours laboring in prayer and fervent dedication to prayer! The early church talked to God, pleaded with God, wrestled in prayer to God, warred against the powers of darkness in prayer to God. The church must get back to fervent and faithful praying! If we are going to be used by God we must daily seek Him in prayer! Prayer was important to the early church! Is it important to you?”

It’s good to be surprised by God when He intervenes in response to our prayers, and we are once again reminded that God can do far more abundantly beyond what we ask.

ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
Ev’ry day and ev’ry hour;
Jesus and His free salvation,
Jesus and His mighty pow’r.

Refrain:
All that thrills my soul is Jesus;
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten-thousand,
In my blessed Lord I see.

His is love beyond all knowledge,
His is grace beyond degree,
Mercy higher than the heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea. [Refrain]

Ev’ry need His hand supplieth,
Ev’ry good in Him I see;
And the strength He gives His weak ones
Is sufficient unto me. [Refrain]

In yon everlasting city
With the ransomed I will sing,
And forever and forever,
Praise and glorify the King. [Refrain]