Acts 4:23-37
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Derek Paulson (not his real name) was a bully by every definition of the term. Once I tried to stand up to him – very unsuccessfully – and got a bloodied nose. Another time he tripped me at recess and begged me not to tell the teacher. I didn’t. But I did have to have stitches in my knee after I got home that day. I wish there were not Derek Paulsons in the world.
There are, however, worse. Putin, Stalin, and Hitler come too easily to mind. Men who bullied, intimidated, and bulldozed anyone in their way to get their way. They harmed many. I wish they had experienced the same comeuppance as did Ananias and Sapphira 2000 years ago. Swift, decisive retribution and justice met out on the spot.
This is the other side of the coin of miraculous healings on one occasion and not on another. Sometimes God strikes blows so obvious and decisive that we must take notice. I think of Herod:
On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. – Acts 12:21-23
I wish there were not people like that: people who hurt others. People who refuse to give God the glory. People who lie to the Holy Spirit. People who try to impress others rather than God. People of unvarnished evil.
But there are. And why aren’t more of them severely, immediately, and summarily punished? For the same reason we are not severely, immediately, and summarily punished the moment we sin.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9
Sometimes there is a lesson for us, as in this case. Sometimes – though the sin is great – God has other plans for this or that one. Think Peter denying Christ, or Paul approving of Stephen’s stoning.
I wish there were not people like Ananias, Herod, Hitler, or Pol Pot. But I am thankful that there is a God who is gracious toward us sinners, and who forgives our sins, and uses us as a testimony of his grace and love.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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