KEEP MOVING

SCRIPTURE READING: ACTS 12: 1-23

FOCUS: “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.” (Acts 12: 10)

MEMORY VERSE: “15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5: 15-16)

Our Focal Scripture speaks of that moment when the Angel of the Lord departed from Peter. The Angel led Peter out of prison, and at some point, the Angel departed and Peter had to continue with the movement on his own. The Angel took responsibility for bringing Peter out of prison, but at some point, Peter had to take responsibility to continue his movement. After doing it for Peter, Peter had to rise and do it by himself.

Friend, there will be times when it seems that heaven has pulled back and is expecting you to do what has been done for you. Rise to the occasion and keep moving. There are times when the favour of God will appear to make way so that you can do some hard-work on your own. There are times when you will have to take responsibility for what has always come to you on a platter of grace and mercy and favour.

Notice that the Angel brought Peter out of prison, but Peter needed to move by himself to the place where the brethren were praying for him. What began by the favour of the Lord, needed to be completed by deliberate work and movement on the part of Peter. God may indeed open some doors for you by favour, but you may need to roll up your sleeves and do your own part of the work. Heaven’s help is no excuse to be lazy.

Peter may not have had capacity to break the chains and escape from the prison all by himself, but he certainly had the capacity to walk all the way to the house where the brethren prayed for him. The favour and grace of God might do for you what you cannot do for yourself, but heaven expects you to start doing what you should be able to do for yourself. Arise and pray for yourself; arise and build the capacity you can build by yourself.

Don’t be counted amongst them that want favour to do what a little work can deliver. Don’t wait for heaven to do theirs and also do yours.

FURTHER READING: EPHESIANS 5

DECLARATION:

• I choose to keep moving, in Jesus’ name!