He was scheduled to die the next day. He'd seen his friend James put to the sword by Herod and it was his turn the next morning. The church was fervently praying that their leader would be spared by God's power. Peter was chained to two guards and the door was guarded by two others. You can imagine the stress that Peter felt knowing that he was about to die, right? Act 12:6 tells us exactly how anxious Peter was.
He was sleeping.
That's right. With his life hanging in the balance, with the sword about to fall on him, chained and guarded by soldiers all around, Peter was at rest. he had such faith in God's plan that he was free of worry and care. if he died, he would see Jesus again. If he lived he would serve him. And he was leaving the choice in God's hand.
We know that God rescued him miraculously. We know that Peter returned to the praying church and that (in one of the funniest stories of the Bible)l didn't really believe that their prayers were being answered. Peter was freed to serve his Lord for many more years. But that is not the focus today.
The focus is Peter's faith, his complete trust, his rest in Savior's sovereign care.
I want that kind of faith. I want to trust God so much that live or die, good or ill, victory or defeat, riches or poverty, I rest in the hands of God and trust his goodness. No worry. No stress. No falling apart. No anger. Just faith and trust. That is the kind of man I want to be.
I want to be like Peter.
Father, forgive me when I have been a faithless man, worrying and stressing over every little thing. Help me to trust you not only for my eternity, but for today.Oh, and happy birthday Jenni Miller.
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