An Angel Wakes Peter From His Sleep. Acts 12.

Pause for thought

This Herod is Herod Agrippa, there are a number of different Herod’s mentioned in the New Testament, and all were members of the same family. From Herod the Great who was in power when Jesus was born, and received the wise men, to Herod Agrippa 2nd who examine Paul Acts 25 and 26. This Herod Agrippa who had Peter imprisoned was an evil ruler like everyone of his relatives.

Herod’s persecuted the church to please the Jewish leaders, he was a men pleaser who loved the praise of people! Why was James martyred and Peter spared? No matter how hard we try to answer this question I don’t think we are meant to know the answer. But we do know that God will use every situation we face to bring glory to Himself and strengthen our faith in His Son, my favourite verse is Romans 8: 28. What a mighty God we serve!

The church prayed diligently for Peter, and all at once their prayers were answered when the Lords Angel woke Peter from his sleep! How could Peter sleep bound to two soldiers facing the certainty of execution as soon as the feast days were at an end? He was probably exhausted and tired, however I think it was because he remembered what the Lord had promised, that he would not die young, but old John 21:18. This is yet another reminder that the Holy Spirit will bring to our memory all the things Jesus has said John 14:26. These words attributed to Thomas a’ Kempis are very apt “when Jesus is present, all is well, and nothing seems difficult.”

Herod’s terrible end was because “he did not give God the glory” when the people of Tyre and Sidon said he was a god and not a man. Herod’s pride had ended in the wrath of God 12:23.

A verse to remember

But God’s Good News was spreading rapidly, and there were many new believers. Acts 12:24. N.L.T.

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