“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the
church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound
with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the
prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison;
and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains
fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and
so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and
followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he
was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came
to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they
went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And
when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent
His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of
the Jewish people.” Acts 12:5-11.
Peter was in a situation that humanly speaking was hopeless and impossible not only
for him to stay alive but to be freed from prison. However, he not only was delivered
from prison but he lived on to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. This is a miracle. It is
important to know that the God that did this has not changed. He still does miracles. He
still opens impossible doors. He still turns hopeless situation around. What He did for
Peter He can also do for you no matter what situation you are in right now.
For this miracle to happen there were two important things that positioned Peter to
receive this miracle. First, there were persistent prayers. I believe that not only the
church but Peter also prayed. Prayer allows God to intervene in human affairs. Secondly,
Peter operated in faith. It takes faith in God to be sound asleep when plans have been
concluded to behead that person the next day. Faith in God will always prevail. Learn to
rest in His faithfulness. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
What you do not expect you are not entitled to receive. As you go through this week,
expect miracles and breakthroughs in impossible and hopeless situations.