2 Corinthians 1:8-10
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril and will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” (Apostle Paul)
The Apostle Paul, as well as many others throughout the Bible’s Old and New Testaments, suffered in some way during their obedience to God, but God was there to rescue them and prove his word that “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes” (Proverbs 24:16).
We should never underestimate God’s presence and protection. His love for his people is great. He honors our faith in Him and our steadfastness in “The Secret Place” (Psalm 91:1). We have a God who does not change (Malachi 3:6). Though one’s own rebellion and pride may cause a hindrance or delay to bring God’s will to pass in one’s life, He still remains faithful to act on his promises for deliverance, as written.
Here, I’ve highlighted three Old Testament events among many, where men experienced God’s miraculous hand of defense and avengement as they honored God in their behavior. These men were men of faith who were endangered by an evil person, people, or a challenge. They were not only rescued by God, but the people who harassed them were permanently shut down.
David and Goliath, the Giant
After young David kills the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a slingshot and a stone to the forehead, the men of Israel and Judah pursued the Philistines, and the Bible says their dead were strewn along the road and their camp plundered.
The Three Hebrew Boys: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
In Daniel 3, three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown by some of King Nebuchadnezzar’s strongest soldiers into a blazing furnace set seven times hotter than usual. This happened because they refused to serve false gods or worship the image of gold that had been set up. They emerged from the fire without a burn, hair singed, or smelling like smoke. However, just as those strong ones had thrown the boys in, they were killed by the raging flames from the furnace, while the three boys were seen walking about in the fire, unbound and unharmed, with an unknown 4th person described as looking like a son of the gods.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
In Daniel 6, Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, continued as usual to pray to his God three times per day. A decree had been made that during the next thirty days, anyone who prayed to any god or human except for the King would be thrown into the lions’ den. Hence, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den overnight.
The next morning, the King, joyful (as Daniel so distinguished himself by his exceptional qualities that the king initially planned to set him over the whole kingdom), found him unharmed and released him. However, those who made false accusations against him were thrown to the lions along with their wives and children. The Bible tells us that before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overcame them and crushed all their bones.
Keep in mind that these Old Testament characters of the Bible were not perfectly sinless people. They had not even known Jesus as their redeemer. Yet they honored God in their lives, and He took great care of them.
Paul and Silas in Prison
In the New Testament, the Bible shows us that Paul, as well as other ministers, experienced setbacks, dangerous hardships as believers. Nevertheless, often they were repeatedly delivered and given the grace and space to live out their callings.
Acts 16:16-40 is the account of Paul and Silas in prison. One day, they were going to prayer, and met a slave who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. Because of her fortune-telling ability, she made a lot of money for her owners. She followed Paul and Silas, and for many days she shouted, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Paul was so irritated that he turned around and commanded the spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus Christ, and it did right away.
The owners grabbed Paul and Silas and took them to face the authorities, as they realized this to be a loss of their income. Then they accused Paul and Silas of causing trouble for the city by supporting customs that were unlawful for the Romans to practice.
The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. They were then thrown into prison after being severely flogged, and a jailer was placed to carefully guard them by putting them in an inner cell and fastening their feet in stocks.
Later, around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, while the other prisoners were listening. Then, suddenly, there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors opened, and the chains fell loose.
The jailer awoke and was set to kill himself as he thought that everyone had escaped, but Paul told him not to harm himself as they were all there. The jailer brought them out and fell before them, asking what he must do to be saved. After which Paul answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Upon Paul’s talk with them, the jailer cleaned his wounds, and he and all of his household were baptized. The jailer fed them, and he and his household were full of joy because they had believed in God.
God not only released his men, but also added additional blessings in that a man and his whole household were saved. Not to mention, God’s miraculous power was shown to those jailed in the prison.
There are so many other stories throughout the Bible that testify to God’s goodness and care for his children. We should read them repeatedly to remind us of the kind of God we are honored to call Father. It really is a wonderful position to have!
Ms. Rita's Minute 