DEVOTION ~ MIRAGE OR MIRACLE?

Theme: Mirage or Miracle? 

Text: Acts 12:8-16

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” 16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

There are events in life that happens which we cannot explain how it happened. That's the power of God revealed or a miracle divine. Miracle comes about when faith is put in motion (Hebrews 11:1&2 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained good testimony). A mirage on the other hand is an unrealistic hope or wish that cannot be achieved. In yesterday's devotion, we learnt how The Apostle Paul was arrested by Herod with the hope of putting him to death. But the angel of God came to his rescue by night to deliver him. That's a mirage transformed into a miracle as faith is employed. Let faith speak in your unrealistic situations. 

When God sent forth your deliverance, He will ensure you're not taken out empty. As the Apostle Peter was asked to put on his clothes, so will God cause you to take whatever is yours from your place of bondage. The Lord has assured to go before you and level every height, break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron (Isaiah 45:2). Yes this has been seen in the deliverance of Apostle Peter, the angel led him to pass the first and second guard posts, at the iron gate that leads to the city, the underlocked gate opened by itself for them to pass through it. May the Lord grant you a miracle that's unexpected in your life.

The Lord will deliver you from any herodian spirit that want to bring you shame in life. The expectations of the wicked against you shall be frustrated by the power of God. Amazingly, the brethren were still interceding for him, but when the miracle happened, they were taking it for a mirage. May you never miss your miracle. May the unspeakable joy of Rhoda be your portion. She was overjoyed that, she wants everyone to tap into the heavenly made possible joy. Just like the Apostle Peter, keep knocking on the door, it will be opened for you; whatever is your need in life, knock on the heavens door with it, God will open that door for you.

Prayer: Miracle Worker, the God Mighty in delivering His own. Take your praise honour and adoration for Your grace in delivering me and all that's mine. I employ the power of the Holy Spirit to liberate me from any herodian spirit that want to distort my life. O God, send forth Your angels to deliver me. May they come speedily to save me from the wicked. Give me a notable miracle that men may see and give glory to Your name. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN!