Monday, July 31, 2017
Acts 12:11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating ."
SIMON PETER'S RESCUE
Simon Peter was a practical man who packed a weapon along to Gethsemane and was ready to use it. But now he thinks he's dreaming! Perhaps he thinks the angel is taking him to Abraham's side in paradise. But suddenly he finds himself in the street. Then Peter realized that it was no dream.
Why is he so surprised? Didn't he think the Lord would answer his prayers from prison? He surely did! That's why he could sleep on the night before his fatal trial. Once before he had slept in Gethsemane when Jesus had asked him to watch and pray. That was weakness. But this is strength, to trust God enough to sleep before his own execution. "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). You see, when Peter prayed, he did not have to stay awake to see if God would do what he asked. He simply left the matter in God's gracious hands, and went to sleep.
Have you taken something to the Lord in prayer? Then also leave it with Him. You can do so with confidence even if you do not see how He might answer your prayer. He that spared not His own Son for you will surely spare nothing else to deliver you, to help you, and finally to bring you to the fulness of joy. And if there is still suffering involved, you will not suffer alone. When you pass through the waters, He will be with you.
