It’s hard to read how Jesus’ disciples were treated, and yet they remained true to their mission. What an inspiration for us! It does seem savage that King Herod would pick the Passover as a time to brutally kill James and then take Peter into custody. For Peter, I can’t even imagine being chained to two other individuals while waiting for an unfair trial, seeking to rile the people, and probably take his life.
Then we see how mightily God answered the prayers of the believers and delivered Peter from his captors. We can’t help but rejoice. Don’t rush past this miracle. Answered prayer does happen, sometimes in unfathomable ways. What was most surprising to you about the jail break?
We should never limit God, for he has no boundaries. It’s our own capacity-challenged brains that struggle to comprehend the true majesty of God. When was the last time you took some time to just reflect on who God is? What do you know about God?
Peter was pretty confident in the power of Jesus’ name, not to mention the Holy Spirit’s power living inside him and his friends. Peter was still thinking his angelic rescue was a vision, but it was happening in real time. It was like Peter and the angel simply waltzed out of the jail without anyone noticing. How does that happen? God answers prayers.
I loved how Peter described what happened to him. “The Lord had led him out of prison.” Peter gave credit where credit was due. I’m sure there are times in life when we forget the source of our success. Personally, I struggle with not feeling “good enough,” so being able to deflect compliments and such to God’s help or influence in my life is my frequent “go-to” response.
How God chooses to clean up our messes continues to astound me. Sometimes our choices are not ideal. For Peter, it wasn’t Peter who deserved the discipline, but those who had wrongly imprisoned him. God’s justice had a way of revealing itself and brought Peter to safety all at the same time. Peter had the Lord’s work to do, and being on trial was not on the agenda for Peter right now.
When we are in a period or season of waiting on God, it can be harder to remember all the ways God interacts with us. In whatever season we find ourselves, we should always be hopeful, praying with expectant prayers. Not only is God listening, but he is answering prayers all around us.
Never stop praying. How God answers your prayer may be different than you expect. God always knows best. Maybe His answer is yes, maybe it’s no, maybe it’s not yet. Your prayers will be answered. Count on it!
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing all my prayers, rejoicing, rants, and cries for help. I am so grateful for how you respond and sustain me. I never want to take you for granted. Help me listen better to your voice as you respond to my prayers. Forgive me for messages I may have missed from you. Don’t give up on me. I want to follow you and live in your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
