Acts 12:6-16 - Perfect God and imperfect people

Scripture:

 

Acts 12:6-16

6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."

9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

 

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

 

13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.

15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, "It is his angel."

16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.
NASU

 

 

Thoughts:

 

This wonderful and humorous story is encouraging in at least a few ways.

 

First, God's protection of Peter.  Delivering Peter from the tightest prison cell (verse 6) was and is no problem for God.  Not to mention that Herod seems to have intended to kill Peter as he had killed James, the brother of John. 

 

Acts 12:1-3
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.

2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
NASU
 

It's also inspiring to see Peter sleeping under these conditions (verse 6)!  We don't know if it was because of faith (which we like to think), or just mere exhaustion.  We do know, however, that in our darkest trials we too can find rest in the Lord.

 

Isaiah 26:3
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
NKJV
 

Finally, it's encouraging that God did this miracle, even though none of the people involved are believing Him for it!  Peter thinks he's merely seeing a vision (verse 9) and those praying don't have faith to believe that this could have happened (verses 12-15). 

 

I'm so glad that His hand is not dependent on me!  I know there have been times my faith was small or nonexistent, and yet He answered my prayer or was simply working when I was unaware, like Peter.  Truly, He is a good God!

 

 

Prayer:

 

Thank You Lord, that You don't expect us to be perfect, or to have perfect faith.  You know we're weak. 

 

Psalm 103:14
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.

NASU
 

Thank You that Jesus was and is perfect for us, and that we now rest in His completed work.

 

Thank You!  Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.