Acts 12:6-11

As was mentioned yesterday, prayer opens the door for great things to happen. Here we have Peter chained between two soldiers—sleeping! Peter’s calmness, to the point where he could sleep so soundly, is a testament to his surrendered will to the purpose and plan of the Father. Everything was going to be okay, no matter how this situation unfolded.

So soundly was Peter sleeping that the angel who came to break him out had to strike him on the side to wake him up, and miraculously, his chains fell off.

Peter thought he was dreaming, but the angel gave him specific instructions about putting on his outer garment and sandals, and off they went, passing by two fully manned guard posts and through the iron gate leading to the city, which opened by itself—all completely undetected. Several miraculous things were taking place here.

Peter didn’t realize it was really happening until the angel suddenly departed, leaving him alone in the middle of the street.

If God needs to deliver us from our circumstances, He can and He will. Think of the Exodus, where God miraculously delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. Think of the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were facing certain death in the fiery furnace by order of King Nebuchadnezzar, yet who showed up in the middle of the fire? Think of Daniel, facing certain death in the lions’ den, only to be delivered by an angel who shut the lions’ mouths. Think of the Apostle John, whom the Roman Emperor Domitian tried to execute by throwing him into a vat of boiling oil, only for him to emerge unharmed.

Last but not least, think of Jesus, who had to endure the cross and die, yet was raised from the dead to deliver mankind from the clutches of the devil. God knows how to deliver His people.

I think Peter was fully prepared in his heart to die for the Lord, which would explain his ability to sleep so peacefully. But God had more for him to do. We each need to get to that place in our walks and in our hearts where, as Jesus said in the Garden, we can pray:

“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Those are simple words to read, but they are often difficult words to live. Surrendering our will to God requires trust. It means believing that His wisdom is greater than our understanding, His timing is better than our timetable, and His purposes are higher than our personal desires.

That kind of confidence does not come from knowing what tomorrow holds; it comes from knowing Who holds tomorrow. Peter could sleep because he trusted God. If deliverance came, God would be glorified. If martyrdom came, God would still be glorified. Peter had already settled the issue of lordship in his heart.

How different our lives would be if we lived with that same confidence. How much anxiety, fear, and worry would disappear if we truly believed that God is in control and that nothing can touch our lives apart from His knowledge and permission. This does not mean we will never face difficulties, but it does mean we never face them alone.

The same God who delivered Israel from Egypt, protected Daniel in the lions’ den, walked with the Hebrew children through the fire, released Peter from prison, and raised Jesus from the dead is still at work today. He has not changed. He is still faithful, still powerful, and still able to deliver His people according to His perfect will.