Who Let Peter Out?

By Jerry D. Ousley

            A dingy, damp cell, chained between soldiers, a figure slumped against the wall trying to get some sleep before facing execution by king Herod.  Certain that there was no way their prisoner could escape, the soldiers he was chained to also bowed in slumber.  There were a total of sixteen of them guarding this one single prisoner.  Supposedly the king thought this man was a risk by assigning so many to keep him locked up.

            Afterall, Peter, along with John, had not long before been responsible for a lame man to miraculously begin walking again. He might have some kind of supernatural powers.  The people had been so pleased when he had killed another of Jesus’ disciples.  He had James executed with a sword and the Jewish leaders were ecstatic.  Wanting to continue being on their good side, he had taken Peter prisoner intending to have him executed as well, but in order to honor their Holy Day, he was waiting until the Passover celebration was over.

            Across town, a group gathered in the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, praying for Peter.  And God heard their prayers.  Just as Peter had dozed off, a light suddenly flooded the cell.  He felt a punch in his side and pulling him up said, “Arise quickly!”  As he stood to his feet, the chains binding him to a soldier on each side just fell off.  Surely this must be a vision.  He had experienced visions before.  “Put on your belt and shoes, get dressed and follow me,” the figure said.  He did as he was instructed.  The two soldiers that were in the cell with him continued sleeping, and the chains that had once held his hands, lay loose on the floor.  Following the angel, they walked right past the two guards at the cell door then walked right past the first guard post, then the second.  The guards sat at a table and didn’t seem to even notice them as they walked by.  Then, exiting the prison they came to the iron gates that led into the city.  They opened on their own accord and the angel continued leading him until they had walked one block down the street.  Suddenly the angel disappeared and Peter found himself standing in the darkness of night all alone.  It hadn’t been a vision or a dream, because here he stood, out of prison, free as a bird. You can read in detail this account in Acts 12.

            What a miracle!  What a deliverance!  Isn’t God good?  What a wonderful, glorious, magnificent God we serve.  But, wait a minute … when has He ever done anything like that for me?  When has God brought me out of an impossible circumstance?  After all, it’s just a little thing.  If He can do such a great thing for Peter, why can’t He do this little thing for me?  He let Peter out, why can’t He get me out of this situation?

            Have you ever asked that question?  Maybe you didn’t say it out loud.  Perhaps it was only in your mind.  But it was there.  Peter’s experience is just one of many found in the Bible.  What about Daniel being kept safe from the mouth of hungry, man-eating lions?  Or of David, a young man with a sling, killing a giant that had the entire army of Israel shaking in their boots?  All these situations and miracles and there are many more, where God showed up.  He did it then, but does He still do it?  If He does, what have I done that’s so wrong that He won’t do anything for me?

            But wait … maybe He has.  Perhaps He has done it for us each and every day.  We get up in the morning – another day to live.  Another chance to make life good. Somehow, whether you have a coveted job or you struggle each and every day for the next dime, we have arrived here at this point in time.

            You see, we have this idea that because we live in the United States that we deserve certain things and a certain life.  But God promised that He would give us food and clothing.  That’s it (Luke 12:23, 1 Timothy 6:8).  Everything else is luxury.  All other things, a good house, a large wardrobe, eating at a five-star restaurant, are all extravagant extras that God has allowed us to have. Many Christians in this world only know life day by day.  We have been so magnificently blessed.  Maybe, just maybe, God has let us out, just like He did Peter. Without realizing it, in fact, He has led us out of the prison of sin and death.  He has taken us past the guards that hold us captive, and in Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death, He has opened those prison gates and set us free.

            Don’t feel left out.  Don’t think for a moment that God has forgotten you.  You may have great problems facing you.  Some may be of your own making, and some may just be circumstances beyond your control.  They are real.  They aren’t easy.  They are indeed mountains that seem unsurpassable.  You don’t know how you are going to get through this situation.  But I tell you today, God is able.  He is there. He knows everything you are facing right now.  It may seem impossible and by man’s standards, maybe it is.  But with God nothing is impossible.  I am here to tell you today, trust Him.  Give your life totally to Him.  He will get you through.  He will open those prison doors for you just like He did for Peter.  He let Peter out.  He has the key.  He is waiting at the gate.  He’s going to let you out too.  Just watch and see.

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.?  Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.