Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 12:11, “When Peter came to himself, he said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’”
The rescue of Peter from Herod’s prison is glorious and impactful, and not merely because God sent an angel to miraculously deliver him from certain execution. It is fantastic that chains fell off, guards offered no resistance, and a huge iron gate that required multiple people to open simply swung itself out of the way. It’s absolutely critical to the growth and advance of the early church that Peter not be killed on the heels of James’ murder, but continue his ministry and eventually write his portion of the New Testament. And the evidence that nothing is too difficult for God and no one is beyond His reach serves to bolster the confidence and courage of believers to this day who face persecution and worse. But Peter’s escape also embodies the journey that practically every follower of Jesus has encountered somewhere along the way. When Peter first left his cell with the angel, he thought that what was happening was only a vision. The events of an angel appearing, light shining in the jail, the chains falling off his body, and his walking out to freedom did not appear to be what they really were. But when Peter “came to himself,” when he was able to think clearly and fully assess the situation, he was convinced that what was happening was from the hand of God.
And that journey, from doubt to certainty, is one that you and I know quite well. Regardless of whether it lasted only moments as it did for Peter, or if it lingered for far longer than it should have, you know what it’s like to believe one thing and then have God open your understanding to what He’s actually doing. And it’s no shame to be at any point along that path. As one person said, do you think the apostles were hiding in the upper room after Christ’s death, saying to one another, “I can’t wait until Sunday. Aren’t they all going to be surprised?” No, each knew the worst had occurred, that is, until God showed them different. If you’re doubting something, the key is to keep moving along with Christ, allowing Him to do His will and show Himself to you in due time. He is working, and He is in control, you can be sure of that.
As we seek Him today, cast your doubts and worries on God and let Him take care of them.
Have a delightful Wednesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
