Someone to Watch Over Me!

Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison

⁶ The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.⁷ Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. ⁸ Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

⁹ So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. ¹⁰ They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. ¹¹ Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. Acts 12:7-11

Imprisoned, facing eminent execution, Peter is able to sleep! The early Church was praying, and God was planning! Peter surrounded by roman guards, rests in the Lord. It’s a reminder that in any and every circumstance followers of Christ can find peace. Not always an absence of conflict but the underlying assurance that our lives are in His hands.

It’s critical in a world where threats are being realized by our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world, that we find needed perspective.

Alexander McLaren a Scottish preacher of another era once said: “Prayer was the very life breath of the infant Church."

James, an early leader in the Church has been killed with a sword and Peter was to be next. 

God had other plans that would include:

1. An angel alarm clock/ He knows how to get you where you need to be!

2. A reminder to put on his shoes and coat because nothing is trivial to our Compassionate God!/ Who cares for our most basic of needs!

3. Passing through armed check points./ Barriers yield to His will!

4 An iron gate that opened by itself!/ He can suspend the laws of nature to meet our most pressing needs!

Are you facing some threatening situation right now? Sleepless nights, and worry all too familiar? Read and then reread Acts 12, and remember you have someone who is always watching over you!