Iron Gate and The Wooden Door-Peter’s Gate And Rhoda’s Door

The title of a sermon I heard preached by a reverend gentleman over thirty years ago. The message touched the core of my being then and has kept finding its way to the fore time and time again in my life. Have you ever seen yourself in situations where God had moved and those who should know would not budge or they out rightly disapprove? What would you do when the jail gates swing open of their own accord yet a mere door would not? Imagine an all-night prayer meeting dedicated to an issue and when the answer arrived, and people who were supposed to be in faith were disbelieving. Dare we confront the faithlessness in church and risk being labelled? Listen to the words of some of our prayers and in them, discover why they never got answered. They were riddled with fear and unbelief!

(Acts 12:1-18)

The times for the believers were perilous. Too many bad news, they had already lost some of their members to unjust death. Now, Peter was being held in prison. They did what most church folk would do, called an all-night prayer meeting and cried unto God for some intervention. What they were in need of, only God could do, the times were bad and the nights were long. There was fear everywhere, how else would we explain their locking themselves in? The church was being vexed and that, in no small measure. They did not stand a chance and so they resorted to prayer. What were they saying, who were they saying it to? The events that followed would supply answers to our quest. Notice, the leaders were engrossed in the prayers. They let a little girl man door.

Go in your mind to the prison, Herod had four quaternions keep Peter in. Tell me which of the two camps meant business? I know you would argue that the church did not need strength to carry out its assignment but I would answer and ask you, did they know that? Did their actions portray faith or fear? The records showed that Peter got a miracle; we can assume that it was because they were praying but were they paying attention or watching at all.

There was drama in Peter’s release; the mission had to be carried out by an angel. I believe this showed how important the mission was. The guy was dazed but pleasantly so; he rushed to meet his brethren. Now let’s pause to consider this – this was a guy that chains and storks had fallen off of him, been led by an angel through jail cells, surely the rest of the world was ready for the taking. He got to the door and there was a small girl, not even a boy! Remember this guy had been walking with an angel earlier. Sound familiar? I thought so!

The girl out of excitement ran back inside without opening the door. I am sure there were times you knew you had hit a gusher only to find a cap at the well. She announced her find and guess what, the elders considered her mad? Pray, should elders not be discerning? Having prayed all night, should the spirit not be so thick someone would pick the good news even before Peter showed up? Miss “little girl”, my advice to you is this: never lose your vision even if every other person does not see. What you have seen, you truly have seen. You should not have to give it up because old sages do not believe you.

Selah!

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BOOKS BY Anne Ajadi:

YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS