SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 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. 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. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
OBSERVATION: King Herod had just arrested James, the brother of John, and had him killed with a sword. Then Peter was arrested and placed in jail until after Passover. It was a desperate time; many people joined at Mary’s house to pray. But Peter had confidence that things, his death or life, would work out for God’s glory. So, what did he do? He went to sleep. The light and the presence of the angel did not wake him. The angel had to strike him and speak to him.
APPLICATION: Like Peter bound with chains, asleep between two soldiers… Like Jesus asleep on a boat in the middle of a storm… Like Daniel asleep in the lion’s den… With my heart at peace, I too can sleep. The laws that govern this universe were made by the one who lives in me! He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He controls the entrance and exit of the grave! He is in control of things out of my control. My faith allows me to sleep!
PRAYER: Lord to borrow some words from Civilla D. Martin: “I rest because I’m happy, I sleep because I’m free, For Your eye is on the sparrow, and I know You care for me.” Amen.
Pastor Leon
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