Acts 12:6

“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.”

Greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and new year. Let’s get into the word of God.

When we read acts chapter twelve we understand that king Herod rose against the church and persecuted James the brother of john. When he saw that it pleased the Jews he arrested Peter and imprisoned him. Herod planned to persecute Peter after the Passover. Herod must have heard about Peter and his miracles so maybe that’s why we see that he tightened the security in the prison. It says that he was guarded by four quaternions of soldiers which is around sixteen soldiers (Acts12:1-4). In verse six we read that Peter was bound with two chains. Herod made sure that Peter doesn’t escape from the prison. The very next day Peter is going to be handed over to the Jews and will be executed.

It is a very tense situation to both Peter and to the church. But was Peter really tensed? Just the day before of his execution Peter who was bounded with two chains was sleeping between two soldiers. Peter didn’t pray about it or cry about it but was sleeping! He was not anxious about the next day. He was so fast asleep the angel of god had to give a hard blow or slap Peter to awaken him. The word smote is the past tense of smite which means to strike or hit hard.

I was really surprised to find a man in the prison bounded with chains and guarded with soldiers with no clothes on him (verse 8) could ever have a sound sleep. The chains fell off, the angel of god made him to pass the prison gates amidst tight security to the city street yet he thought such a marvellous escape to be a dream and vision (verse 11).

His life was in danger but he had the peace of god. He didn’t look at his circumstances but left it to god knowing about his calling that one day he will be persecuted for Christ sake. Whatever may be the situations god wants us to be like Peter. It’s a lesson for each one of us to commit everything in gods hand.

As believers, we all have been commissioned by God to do his will. It is he who has chosen us and appointed us wherever we are now (John15:16). Every day we face challenges and as this new year has begun our hearts does feel anxious and troubled. But as child of God lets be like Peter and not be anxious because the one who called us is faithful(1Thessalonians5:24). As the psalmist says he sees our cry and listens to our prayer (Psalms66:17-20). And by the end of this year we will sing to the Lord for all his goodness (Psalms13:6). Cast your burdens on him and see how wonderfully he delivers and blesses you.

God bless you all. Amen.