Scripture
"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." (Acts 12:6)
Observation
Have you ever heard the saying, “stuck between a rock and a hard place” used to describe being trapped in a predicament? Well Peter found himself stuck, not between a rock and a hard place but, between a guard and another guard, hands chained, feet chained, and awaiting to be sentenced to death. In fact, there were even more guards at the gates! Talk about an impossible predicament, yet he didn’t react like I would have. I’d be overwhelmed with fear, probably crying my eyes out, and trying to make a deal with God. But Peter…Peter was SLEEPING. How did he find this calm, this peace, this comfort in the worst of circumstances? This peace was rooted in his faith, and this faith was cultivated through His obedience, as he knew God loved Him, God called Him, and God would care for Him.
God showed up, the chains fell off, the guards were no threat, the prison doors flung open, and Peter would be set free.
Application
If you feel like you’re in an impossible situation, if you feel like you’re in a figurative prison with no way to get out, if you feel trapped and chained, if you are caught between a rock and a hard place, caught between people who are out to get you, my prayer is that you would find hope in knowing the power of our God. Peter couldn’t do anything to better his situation. He couldn’t get free from the guards, he couldn’t get free from the chains, and he couldn’t get free from the prison. But God could: God could better his situation, God could free him from the guards and the chains and the prison, and God DID! I wonder how many times we’ve tried...we’ve tried to remove the chains on our own, get free on our own, or figure things out on our own only to fail miserably. Today, may we find peace and rest, even if we are stuck between a rock and a hard place, in knowing our God’s power. Your part: ensuring your peace is rooted in your faith and your faith is cultivated through your obedience. Obey God, honor God, submit to God and see the miraculous things He will do!
Prayer
Jesus, I ask that You would remind every person that is stuck, that is trapped, that is caught in a seemingly impossible circumstance that You can deliver them, You can work out the situation for good, and that You will move if we choose to obey. Please grant Your grace when we don’t have the faith, please grant Your forgiveness when we stumble, and please set us free from what has imprisoned us. Even today, may chains fall, may prison doors open, and may Your people walk in Your freedom. In Your name, Amen!
