Advantages in Adversities

Acts 12: 5-11

Introduction

We all know William Carey as Father of Modern mission but the careful study of history will teach us the truth that he was also a man of suffering and adversities. Carey and his wife Dorothy lost their three small children. In India Dorothy progressively lost her sanity and died eventually. The adversity List Goes on There was official opposition from the British East India Company which did not want missionaries in India. There was the disastrous fire in 1812 at the mission printing plant that destroyed years of Carey's translation work. There were repeated attacks of malaria and cholera, impoverished living conditions, insufficient funds to eke out even a minimal existence. Carey had to take up secular employment just to survive. In spite of all Carey himself wrote of the disaster to Dr. Ryland:--"25th March 1812. The loss is very great, and will long be severely felt; yet I can think of a hundred circumstances which would have made it much more difficult to bear. The Lord has smitten us, he had a right to do so, and we deserve his corrections. I wish to submit to His sovereign will, nay, cordially to acquiesce therein, and to examine myself rigidly to see what in me has contributed to this evil.

Christianity is not religion of ease and comfort. From its beginning to today it has been facing struggles and adversities. History testifies that the Church prospered not in the midst of peace but in the midst of much opposition. Here in the text Apostle Peter and the believer had gone through much sufferings and adversities. Yet, they found Advantages in their adversities. Let’s learn the advantages that Peter and believer found in their adversities.

Advantages in Adversities (Acts 12: 5-11)

First, in V: 5 we learn that the adversities made Peter and the believers to Pray or to stand  on their knees before God. Every adversity in our life make us to kneel before God. Are we kneel down before God in our adversities? Second, from (V: 6-7) we learn that adversities made Peter to experience God’s very presence in the room where he was confined to. Adversities not only take us nearer to God but it also brings God nearer to us. Third, from (V: 8-10) we learn that Peter and believers experienced God’s power. The chains were broken and iron doors were opened. They could not stand before God. Adversities manifests God’s power in our day to day life. Finally, from (V: 11) we learn that it changed Peter’s perspective of faith in Jesus. When he came to his realization he confessed that God had set him from the hands of Herod and from the evil plans of Jews. He learned God is able to save and to protect His people from the adversities they go through. Are you going through difficulties? Facing adversities in your life? It is not to destroy your faith in God but to strengthen it.

Conclusion: Every believer has a decided advantage over the world and all the trouble it brings. Those who are in Christ are secure within His mighty hand. He loved us enough to die for our sin on Calvary. He isn’t about to abandon us in the journey of life! Amen

Yours in His Service

G. Paul Raj