Acts 12 reminds me of the devastation of watching a loved one struggle with alcohol addiction. A common cycle is repeated; we cling onto any positive, before being crushed by another disappointment. Even the most faithful can lose hope. Today’s chapter reminds us that God is faithful, but people are not. We begin with the continued persecution of the early church. “King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church… He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword”. After seeing his popularity grow among the Jewish residents, “he proceeded to seize Peter also”. Peter was held in prison while awaiting a public trial to be held after the Passover, “guarded by four squads of four soldiers”. In spite of the danger, the Believers continued to meet together to study God’s Word. We read that “The church was earnestly praying to God” on Peter’s behalf. I wonder if anyone was bold enough to pray for Peter to miraculously be set free? In weariness, our prayers can become timid. The night before his trial, “Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains”. It seems sometimes the one in bondage sleeps better than the ones desperately in prayer. Peter was a prized prisoner, so he had additional sentries guarding the entrance. Families of those in bondage know that bad nights usually lead to very bad mornings.
In the darkest time of night, God intervened. “An angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell”. He woke Peter up with a poke, and instructed him “Quick, get up!” We read that “the chains fell off Peter’s wrists”. He was told to get dressed, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me”. Peter followed the angel, not sure what was happening. They walked past both guards and came to an iron gate leading to the city. The gate opened, “and they went through it” together. I do not think Peter could have stepped away by himself. After they walked one block, the angel left him. Some of us know too well that Peter could have turned, and walked right back into prison, but at that moment, he recognized that “the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me”. Peter’s confidence was no longer in himself.
Where do the newly unshackled go? Peter went to the place where his friends were gathered in prayer. “Peter knocked at the outer entrance” and a servant girl answered. She recognized Peter’s voice immediately and ran to tell the group that “Peter is at the door!” His friends reacted with skepticism, “You’re out of your mind”. Don’t miss the irony; the one they were praying for was standing outside while they debated. “But Peter kept on knocking”. Change always requires a commitment. When they opened the door and saw Peter standing there, “they were astonished”. Clearly this was not what they expected to happen. By Roman law, the soldiers received the sentence of any escaped prisoner. After being questioned, Herod “ordered that they be executed”. Those in bondage are often surrounded by people that do not want them released. The chapter ends with a reminder to those that believe they are in control. Herod was making a speech extoling his own triumphs while sitting on his throne and “wearing his royal robes”. The people shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man”. Pride can easily fool us into thinking we are infallible. We read, “Herod did not give praise to God”. Historians tell us that he died a painful death, but Luke writes, that he was struck by an angel of the Lord, “he was eaten by worms and died… But the word of God continued to spread and flourish”. Some today choose their own prison over the church. They cite the hypocrisy of the holy rollers. The church is full of convicts that have been set free. Most come to have their hope renewed by the love of God, and the prayer of friends. My friend, is it time to break the cycle? “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).