PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT.May 8th, 2025
GOD REPAYS HEROD'S WICKEDNESS (Acts 12:1-24)
Nigeria is among the leading countries of the world in the persecution of Christians according to Freedom of Religion or beliefs 2023. While this is heartbreaking, Christians see it as part of the price we need to pay for been Christians. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house............. will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution.........." (Mark.10.29-30.NLT)
Herod the king was one of those who enjoyed power absolutely. He delighted in harassing the Christians which seemed to be a tradition passed down by his ancestor (Acts 12:1). In his happy hour, he killed James, one of the twelve Apostles, the brother of John, and the first martyr. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to do the same to Peter. So he seized Peter and put him in prison. "When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover." (Act.12.3-4.NLT). But the church prayed constantly and fervently to God. (the church needs to return to this kind of selfless commitment of love for one another). Miraculously, Peter's prison chains fell off and he regained his freedom.
The Peter's experience did not bring Herod to repentance. He continued in his violent acts until the angel of the Lord struck him. He was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:20-24). His power over the believers did not have his expected results instead, the word of God grew and multiplied.
The wickedness of the wicked did not stop the spread of the gospel and this is true today. Because all followers of Jesus already secure a place in the world to come. The wicked can only destroy the body not the soul. Every one of us will somehow taste our own pudding. But remember, no one persecute Christians without the repercussions. Most common is that they are converted to the very faith they persecuted.
THE WORD: "The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. [8] Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Pet.4.7-8.NLT)
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