Friday June 2, 2023

Today is Friday, June 2 and we are learning about God our Helper.

As I begin today’s pilgrim journey, I lift up my eyes to seek the God who loves me. I quiet my mind, slow my breath and center my soul on the Lord – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I seek to travel the well-worn path of the saints who have gone before me and learn the upward steps that will help me grow in Christian maturity. Hold my hand and guide me to walk in the way that leads to life. Amen.

I look to God for help in every circumstance with the words of Psalm 121, a Psalm of Ascent.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

Pause and Pray

On the Christian pilgrimage to greater faith, maturity and holiness, there will be obstacles and setbacks. As soon as we set our hearts on making progress, life will bring its trials, temptations, tribulations, challenges, frustrations and difficulties. Peter encounters unexpected obstacles in the twelfth chapter of Acts. Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob and James was executed by King Herod. Peter is then arrested, imprisoned and held captive under heavy security. He is double bound by chains, sleeping between two soldiers and watched by two sentries. Even Houdini could not escape this situation – it was impossible.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” Acts 12:8-11

Obstacles and setbacks in my life’s journey are inevitable. No matter how determined I am in the life of faith there will be plenty of unexpected challenges that will appear out of nowhere. How will I respond? To whom will I turn? In what power will I rely? Just like in Peter’s imprisonment, God has a way to remove obstacles and overcome setbacks. Whether the way is over, around, under, or through God is able to do it. In Peter’s case the obstacles just seem to fall away. In the beginning of Acts chapter twelve, King Herod has all the power. The tiny faith community gathers to exercise the only power it possesses – prayer.

Ask: What obstacles or setbacks am I currently facing? How well am I trusting God to move in these circumstances?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, each day I try to make a pilgrim’s progress in the life of faith, yet I continue to stumble, take a wrong turn, grow complacent, succumb to weariness or begin to backslide. Help me see these setbacks as obstacles you can remove or teach me how to overcome. Show me the way over, around, under, or through my current struggle. I place my trust in you. I read the words from Acts again and listen for the message you have for me.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” Acts 12:8-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Reading through the entirety of Acts chapter twelve, an amazing reversal of events is revealed. In the beginning the odds are certainly in King Herod’s favor. But by the end of the chapter, the tables have turned. Peter is set free from prison and reunited with the Christian community. After the angel leaves him, there is a humorous encounter. Peter knocks on the door where the church is praying for his release but they refuse to open the gate because they do not believe it is really him. Peter convinces them of his miraculous escape and goes on his way. Shortly afterwards, while giving a public speech at his palace in Caesarea, King Herod suddenly falls down dead. What a surprising and unexpected turn of events. Peter trusted God to change his circumstances and I can trust God too.

Pause and Pray

Lord God, sometimes my molehills seem like mountains and the way forward appears impossible. This morning I place my trust in you to reverse every setback and remove every obstacle. I have confidence in your power and place my hope in your promises. I have faith that you are at work and you are not finished with me yet. Amen.

And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” Isaiah 57:14

I leave this time of prayer looking to God my Helper. I go to help others in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen