I was just doing one of my favorite things to do and that's flip through the book of Acts until I find what seems to be a good starting point and there I begin reading. I enjoy the book tremendously because it details the early church on how they operated. I love reading about Paul's conversion and how Stephen was chosen to serve, but in this particular reading I came across what I think to be one of the coolest things in the book.
In the twelfth chapter of the book of Acts it is speaking of the death of James and Peter being put into prison. In verse four King Herod puts Peter into prison and orders four squads of soldiers to guard him. Verse five speaks of earnest prayer made to God by the church for Peter and then verse six, which is what I think is the coolest takes place. The night after Passover King Herod was to bring forth Peter from prison and give him to the people. Basically, the King was going to kill Peter for the entertainment of himself and the Jews.
Anyways, verse six tells us that Peter was bound with chains and sleeping! How crazy is that!? Peter, knowing that in a very short time he could be put to death, is asleep in his cell. Peter was solely relying on God in that situation. He knew whatever happened it would be for the glory of God and he was fine with that. How often are we in situations that don't even come close to the one Peter was in and we go straight into panic mode trying to figure out what "I" have to do in order to fix the problem?
Finally, in verse seven an angel of the Lord appears next to him in the prison cell. And even with the light coming from the angel Peter doesn't budge, he keeps on snoozing!! The verse goes on to say that the angel had to strike Peter on the side in order to wake him. Again, facing possible death, Peter gets a good nights rest. Verse nine tells us that Peter thought he was dreaming the entire event until he got down the street. When he realized that it wasn't a dream he automatically gave praise to the Lord for sending the angel to save him. Peter then went to the house of Mary and testified of what the Lord had done for him.
How great is our God that He takes care of us in all matters of life and He gives us the faith and trust to rely on Him in what seems to be the worst of times. And as Peter shows us, when we love God we can't help but to praise Him in all things as well as testify to those around us for what He has done.
In Christ Alone,
Mr. V.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment