Bible Reading: Job 25, 26, 27; Acts 12.
Memory Verse: “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” Acts 12:7 (KJV)
King Herod killed James, the brother of John with the sword because he preached the gospel (Acts 12:2). When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he went ahead to take Peter and put him in prison with the plan to kill him as well. To ensure he was securely kept, he gave the charge to four quarternions (sixteen soldiers). So four soldiers to watch over him every three hours . Thus, in total, sixteen soldiers were watching over Peter in twelve hours.
From the Herod’s perspective, Peter was as good as dead because after Easter, the quarternions of soldiers were to deliver him to Herod. To further secure Peter’s imprisonment, he was chained. So there was no way, he could have escaped. Peter himself was not making any attempt to escape as he slept even with the chain (Acts 12:6). Talk of peace in a storm! However God came in. He sent his angel to Peter and caused the chains holding him to fall on its own accord. The bible says in Acts 12:7 (KJV) “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
Furthermore, the doors were opened on their own accord and Peter was ushered out of the prison by the Angel. God said it was not time for his death. Someone reading this devotional now, please note that whatever you are going through now, it is temporary no matter how challenging it is. God will take you out of the problem as long as you have faith in him. He will set you free miraculously the way he set Peter free. In addition, he will deal with your adversary who is unjustly punishing you.
Look at what Herod did, he killed the soldiers that were watching over Peter! Those soldiers never knew that they would lose their lives, they thought Peter would but the Almighty who has control over life showed them that no man can be sure of his life. He extended this to Herod himself as God made worms to eat him up and he died (Acts 12:21-23)! The killer became the killed! Certainly, no man can be sure of his life!
Therefore the proper thing to do is to commit your life to the hands of the only one who is sure of life; Jesus Christ. He will protect you from all your adversaries, no matter how powerful they are!
Action Point: Examine your relationship with Jesus Christ and give your life or rededicate your life to him, who controls life!
Bro. Biodun Oyapero