Why do things happen as they do?
We have that question a lot don't we? I was struck by this question as I read today's section from Acts.
In Acts 12:1-5 Herod kills the apostle James and makes plans to kill Peter until the Lord does this miraculous work of sending an angel to rescue Peter from prison (12:6-18).
Peter. James. John. The 3 amigos. The inner circle of disciples. All 3 knew each other before they met Jesus because they were fishing partners, and all 3 received their call to follow Jesus as the same time (Luke 5:9-11).
James is killed by Herod. Peter is saved from Herod's sword by a miraculous intervention from God.
Why does God allow James to die and Peter to live?
Let me first confess I don't have all the answers to these type of questions, but I do get a good clue just one chapter later. In Luke 13 Paul is preaching. In verse 36 he makes this statement, "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers..."
It could be that James, like David, had finished his course and the purpose which God had laid out for him. So, God brought James into his presence.
If we only view these things thru the lens of a human lifespan then they look terrible. But when you add eternity in the presence of Almighty God, with blessings forevermore, then the picture changes.
Oh yeah...Peter's there now also, and has been for close to 2,000 years.
Serve the purpose of your God, trusting him, and then go live forever with him and receive your reward from him.
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