“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
– Acts 12:6,7
If you’ve studied the Bible at all, you’re probably familiar with the rogue nature of Peter. I don’t know about you, but I think he’s great! He speaks what’s on his mind and he seems fearless in his compulsion to preach the Gospel. Even after two of his fellow Christian brothers were murdered and the church had gone into hiding, he continued spreading the news of Jesus at the temple. The problem is that this made the “religious” Jews more eager to do away with him. Knowing he had found a way to please the Hebrew high priests, King Herod was ready and willing to cooperate and have Peter arrested during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Thankfully, because it was a religious holiday, no one could be killed, so he was locked up and guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Essentially, he had men chained to both hands and there was no way he was going anywhere…at least that’s what they thought. Suddenly, an angel appeared and struck Peter on the side to wake him up. The shackles fell off, he got dressed, and followed the heavenly messenger right out of his cell; however, he wasn’t sure if what was happening was real or if it was a vision. Once they passed the prison guards, walked through the gates of the city and onto a remote street, the angel left Peter and he realized that it had really happened — he had been safely delivered from the hands of his enemies and set free! My friend, there is nothing that Jesus cannot deliver you from! When all looks hopeless and every part of your life seems bound by the chains of darkness and discouragement, don’t lose heart. If the world is closing in around you, lean into your Savior all the harder and expect a miracle. He has given His angels charge over you and has prescribed a perfect plan for your deliverance. Nothing is over until He says so, and not a measure of His good plan for your life can be usurped by Satan’s schemes unless you allow it. Your God is a miracle-worker and He can and will move mountains to make a way through your current trials. Lean on His perfect strength, and never stop expecting Him to show up just when you need Him most! |
Prayer
I am expecting you to show up today, Jesus, and I affirm your miracle-working power in my life.
Reflection
What kind of miracle are you trusting God for today? How does the story of Peter’s deliverance encourage you?
One Response
i find by reading these uplifting mini sermons each day , that my spiritual battery is recharged , and able to look forward to the challenges in my life . EEEEH HAAAAA !!