Flourish

Acts 12:24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

It can be easy to loose heart. I think that is the natural progression for humans. We tend to look down rather than up. Things fall apart, not put themselves together. Fungi and bacteria spread and flourish.

As I read this section of the book of Acts, I am overcome with the actions of the Lord in the lives of these early believers. He was active. Even as persecution broke out, His power was evident, both to save and to maintain.

Not every story had a happy ending. James the brother of John died at the hands of the king. The king was a sick person! He saw the delight that James’ death brought and he wanted to continue the party.

So Peter was the next proposed victim in his “Let’s please the Jews” tour. So Peter is thrown into prison to await the religious calendar’s restraints. He wanted the Jews to be able to fully participate in his killing party. The Passover would have meant the Jews would have been restricted in what they could and couldn’t do.

I thought murder was always wrong! Isn’t bearing false witness wrong?

But even the high security prison arrangements couldn’t stop the Lord from rescuing Peter. Layers of security were nothing when it came to the move of God.

And what happens to the king? He was “eaten by worms and died.” Not the best ending for a king! Being killed in an uprising or at the hands of an assassin would have been better. But at the hidden hand of God, not so much!

But this doesn’t stop the hand of God in transforming the lives of more people. All cultures and races are included. Even soldiers, like the prison guards, could be saved. The Centurion had been visited by an angel and saved. The Gospel flourishes.

And the Gospel is flourishing today behind the most repressive guards placed by humans. The Word is being translated into the heart languages of peoples across the globe with a clear “complete” date in sight. Everyone on the planet will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in the language that speaks most directly to their souls. Flourishing!