Today I'm going to break away from my Old Testament blogging and move to Acts. This is one of my favorite stories in Acts... when King Herod angrily captures Peter, intending to kill him and make a spectacle of him. But the church prayed... they prayed passionately, earnestly, and God intervened, the night before the schedule execution.
I love what Inspiration has to say about this story. I have made bold specific points that I think are so amazing!
"The day of Peter’s execution was at last appointed; but still the prayers of the believers ascended to Heaven. And while all their energies and sympathies were called out in fervent appeals, angels of God were guarding the imprisoned apostle. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Peter was placed between two soldiers, and was bound by two chains, each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of his guard. He was therefore unable to move without their knowledge. The prison doors were securely fastened, and a strong guard was placed before them. All chance of rescue or escape, by human means, was thus cut off.
The apostle was not intimidated by his situation. Since his re-instatement after his denial of Christ, he had unflinchingly braved danger, and manifested a noble courage and boldness in preaching a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. He now called to mind the words of Jesus addressed to him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” He believed the time had now come when he was to yield up his life for Christ’s sake.
The night before his appointed execution, Peter, bound with chains, slept [Note: can you imagine SLEEPING in such a situation??] between the two soldiers, as usual. Herod, remembering the escape of Peter and John from prison, where they had been confined because of their faith, took double precautions on this occasion. The soldiers on guard, in order to secure their extra vigilance, were made answerable for the safe-keeping of the prisoner. He was bound, as has been described, in a cell of massive rock, the doors of which were bolted and barred. Sixteen men were detailed to guard this cell, relieving each other at regular intervals. Four comprised the watch at one time. But the bolts and bars, and Roman guard, which effectually cut off from the prisoner a possibility of human aid, were only to result in making the triumph of God more complete in Peter’s deliverance from prison. Herod was lifting his hand against Omnipotence, and he was to be utterly humiliated and defeated in his attempt upon the life of the servant of God.
The angel awakes Peter and he is set free in one of the most miraculous prison rescues of all time.
The rest of the story, as it continues in the Spirit of Prophecy, is fascinating, but I won't post it here for sake of space. But I love how "Man's extremity is God's opportunity!" What courage that can give us for today's trials. I also love how Peter slept so peacefully. He had once slept instead of praying and as a result had denied Jesus three times, but now he sleeps in perfect peace that he has stood for Jesus! May our testimony be the same if we have to endure such a test.
Tomorrow's Reading: Lev. 25-26 and Psalm 25
No comments:
Post a Comment