SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 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. 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.
OBSERVATION: How often we see in the Bible that as people obeyed, the deliverance was affected. Jesus told the ten lepers to go show themselves to the priest and as they went, they were healed. The man healed at the Gate Beautiful was helped to his feet by Peter, and he then went jumping and running through the temple. I picture the same thing here. Peter was asleep. He was probably startled by the appearance of the angel and the bright light. He probably jumped at the command to “get up.” I picture that as he was quickly getting on his feet, maybe not even totally awake, the chains fell off. He probably did not have time to realize where he was, or why he could not jump up without disturbing the two guards sleeping beside him.
“Quick, get up!” and as he did, he was free!
APPLICATION: May I be as quick to respond to my Lord’s commands.
PRAYER: Lord, you are the creator of the heavens and earth. Nothing is hidden from your oversight. When you give me a command, there is nothing I can add to your thought process that will better inform you. There is no need to discuss the possible reactions that others may have. There is nothing to do but to trust and obey. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Good morning Leon, From Virgil Good. We have met, I think at an Assembly of God senior function.
I read your devotion this morning on “Trust and Obey.” How many times, does the miracle not happen UNTIL we move in the correct direction? My answer: Most of the time. The flowing waters of the Jordan did not stop UNTIL the feet of those carrying the ark touched the water. Then the water backed up to allow the Israelites to cross into the promised land. The lepers were healed ON THEIR WAY to see the priest.
It is our faith when we respond to His word THEN the miracle or healing occurs. Thanks for the thought, Virgil Good