“And he [Herod] killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.” – Acts 12:2-3

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

What do you do in times of crisis? One thing we all must do, before we panic or sin against God, is respect the mystery of God’s providence.

Throughout the pages of His Word, you’re going to see the hidden hand of God…working in mysterious ways, in inexplicable ways. God is in the shadows arranging things, moving things people cannot see. That may be true in your life right now. God is working, but you cannot see Him working.

You may be in the middle of chaos right now. Nothing seems to be making sense. Everything you thought you had nailed down is coming loose, and the devil is pulling nails as fast as he can.

Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense. Many of us have questions. As we look at Acts chapter 12, we say, “Well, how could God let a rascal like Herod be the king anyway? Isn’t God, God? If I were God, I’d turn him into a frog. And why should James be killed and Peter released? Does God have favorites? Has God lost control?”

Friend, you must grasp this important truth, or you will live your life floundering. We do not live by explanations. Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived. Sometimes we must back off and simply see what I call the hidden hand of God. Just because you cannot see today the hand of God working doesn’t mean God is not working.—Adrian Rogers

“And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.“–Mark 16:3-4

This stone had worried the women, as they hurried toward the grave. They knew it was there, that it was too heavy for them with their frail hands to roll away, and they wondered how they could get it removed. But now, when they came in sight of the tomb—they looked up and saw that the stone was rolled away!

This incident illustrates many experiences in our common life. We worry about difficulties and obstacles which lie in our path—and seem to block our progress. But when we move on obediently, and come to the place of the supposed hindrance or obstacle—it is gone, or it was never there, except in our imagination! We all know that very many of our anxieties prove to be really groundless in the end.

Here, we ought to learn the lesson once for all—when God sends us anywhere, that He also makes it possible for us to go. Duty’s paths always open for us, as we go on—not before we start—but as we obey and move forward. Yet we must not expect there will never be any difficulties to meet, or obstacles to surmount. God never has promised that! Too easy a path is often a bane in life—not a blessing! The difficulties and obstacles that remain, may be made stepping-stones by which we shall rise to nobler and higher Christian character!–J R Miller

“And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”–Luke 18:42–43

The core of Napoleon’s army was an elite force known as the Old Guard. These veteran soldiers were selected from those who had shown the most skill and courage in battle. The members of “The Immortals” as they were known across Europe took great pride in their reputation that they had never lost a battle. The story goes that at one point when the enemy forces were gaining ground, Napoleon told his trumpeter to sound retreat. The young man drew himself up to his full height and replied, “I don’t know that bugle call!” Instead he played the charge. The men, thinking reinforcements were on the way moved forward with new spirit and won the battle.

We most often think of faith as a personal matter, and it is that. But it is more—our faith, or our lack of faith, impacts those around us in powerful ways. When one man refuses to give in to doubt, others are encouraged to believe. When one woman refuses to give in to temptation, others are encouraged to do right. When one church attempts to do great things for God in faith, others are challenged to renew their efforts to reach the lost and make disciples.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Paul reminds us, “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7). Everything that we do has an impact on those around us. When we are faithful and see God work in our lives, it both honors and glorifies Him, and it serves as an inspiration and example to others of what He is able to do for them if they will walk in faithful obedience.–“Daily in the Word”

Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience– James 1:2-3

What a strange command this is, to count (perceive, think) it a joyful thing when difficult and dark trials come your way. Trials, by their very nature, cause pain; why would we be joyful to find ourselves in the middle of such an ordeal?

Thankfully, James gives us the reason for the command so that we can better understand and appreciate it. Know this, James says: this test of your faith is working (present tense) patience in you.

What is so great about patience? A good question, since James seems to think that, if we trade comfort and painlessness for trials and patience, we come out ahead. What makes patience so precious or valuable that it is worth the pain we have to go through in order to get it?

Simply put, patience means contentment with one’s current situation (see verse 4).

Now there are many people who have good health, plenty of money, popularity, and everything else a person might think of as the key to happiness – and yet they are miserable. Why? Because they have not found contentment.

On the other hand, we find men and women in the New Testament who are perfectly happy in the midst of miserable circumstances. Paul and Silas sing in prison, John rejoices in exile on Patmos, the apostles are thrilled to suffer for the sake of Christ.

Why? Because these saints learned to wait on God’s perfect timing, wisdom, and power to accomplish His perfect purposes. This gave them total contentment, a patient and joyful spirit, even in the worst situations.

Are you neck-deep in a trial of your own? Count it a joy to learn contentment in the school of Christ.–Baptist Bible Hour