Peter is in Trouble

Acts 12:4-18 After arresting Peter, Herod put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
 
PETER was a marked man in Jerusalem for two reasons. He was the leader of this new sect that claimed Jesus is the Son of God. Salvation for all who believe comes through Jesus of Nazareth’s death, resurrection and ascension. The ruling Jews also knew of Peter’s ministry to Gentiles. This former fisherman from Galilee had to be stopped. His blasphemy was against God and the Jews. To please the ruling Jews, Herod imprisoned Peter. Jerusalem’s political and religious rulers conspired to kill Peter as they had killed Jesus, Stephen and James.
 
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
 
WHAT do we do when confronted with great obstacles? We should pray. But these Christians had surely prayed for James when he was arrested. Even though Herod killed James with a sword, the church remained faithful to intercede for Peter. They knew all is in God’s hands. The essence of praying your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10b). our daily faith is to fully accept and trust the psalm’s proclamation: Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
 
Acts 12:6 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.
 
PETER had been in jail before. But he and John were found free in the temple the next morning: Acts 5:18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. The authorities strengthened their guard to keep Peter bound. It is likely a guard was chained to each of his wrists. Still Peter is at peace. He’s sleeping amid his tormentors. He no longer fears for his life amid the storm as he and the others had the night on Galilee’s stormy waters (Mark 4:37-39).   
 
Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
 
ANGELS work at God’s command. They are often forceful to move one to obedience. We consider the angels who urged Lot from Sodom’s destruction: Genesis 19:15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”  We also consider the angel who urged Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
   God speaks to us. Through his Word, a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a dream or even an angel, he tells us what we must get up and do. Keep a listening ear. Hear his love to warn, protect and direct you.   
 
Next: Prayer Answered. Was the church believing?