Whom Shall I Fear? Thought on Childbirth and Acts 12

This week as I am looking forward to meeting my daughter, who is expected to make her arrival any hour, Our series on

the book of Acts brings us to chapter 12 and the accounts of Peter’s arrest. As I reflect on the events of this week and those events yet to come I can’t help but remember one of my mom’s infamous saying:

“life is like childbirth, you just have to breathe through it”.

You see my mom had 6 kids and  I’ll never fully understand what she meant being a man; however from observing my wife going through the fire per say I’ve learned a few things.

Life is full of uncertainty. At times it is all we can do to hold onto the promise that this pain is only temporary. It is far too easy to become discouraged by our present circumstances, losing sight of our assurance and the big picture. There are situations which present themselves that are both intimidating and challenging.

The Apostle Paul writes, in Romans 8 to the believers facing trying times; reminding them:

“The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us… for we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.”

It is this type of hope and assurance that enables us to endure the injustice, pain, and heartbreak that are so frequently associated with this world. Sometimes life just is not fair. We want a break from the constant turmoil and stress of life. In the midst of our struggle we lose sight of the end result and thus lose our motivation and purpose for today.

I think of no better analogy then my wife preparing to give birth to our second child. This past week we took a late night hospital run eagerly expecting that we would have a baby by morning. The bags were packed, babysitter called and coffee was in queue. We were ready, none more so than my lovely wife. She was in a world of hurt, full of excitement, and anxiety awaiting the birth of our little girl.

Unfortunately after three hours in the room we were sent home with our baby yet to make her shinning debut. There was disappointment, my wife just wanted to be done already. We were both worn out. Her strength is inspiring to me. If the roles were reversed I question whether I would have that same resolve to carry a child with joy for 9 months. It is the goal at the end, the rewarding feeling of holding her child in her arms that gives her purpose for all the painful, unfair, disappointments that come.

The same is true of us and our eternal reward. Life may be difficult in the here and now but it’s going to get better. We have been sovereignly placed here in this place and time to accomplish God’s purpose. Like the woman carrying a precious child in her woman for 9 months we have been entrusted with a great treasure: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pain and adversity give birth to a greater glory. A little pain and suffering is a good thing. For it is through the fire that we find our purpose. We must not lose sight of the ever-present Christ in the midst of our pain. Just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were joined in the fire by the Son of God so to shall we be comforted in our times of grief and pain if we stay near to the heart of God.

 “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our current struggles are temporary and bash in light of what is coming. We serve a Powerful God! There is no rebel no rival who could ever take his place. Who is there like the Lord God almighty! If God be for us, than who can be against us. Strong and mighty is the Lord and great are His ways. He is perfect and righteous! He God has put before me a task to accomplish than there is nothing that can stop me until God decides my time is done.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper because our God is greater than the God of this age. Though Satan may seek to destroy my life I know in whom my hope is found. My hope is found in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. In him alone I will place my trust. I will not fear man who can only harm my body. God alone shall I fear! He is my strength. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for He is with me.

Perfect love casts out all fear. God is perfect love and in him there is no darkness. The enemy shakes and trembles and the sound of his great name and the name of JHesus shall be my refuge in times of stress! In him alone shall I fear.

Let me leave you with this encouragement form Psalms 27:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?The Lord is the [a]defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.