Deliverance in the Midst of Darkness
Acts 12:6–11 (NASB95)
6On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
In this remarkable passage, we witness a dramatic moment of God’s intervention on behalf of His servant Peter, who faced imminent execution while imprisoned under harsh conditions. Despite being securely chained between two guards, Peter was found sleeping deeply—a picture of calm, even amidst oppression. Unbeknownst to him, the fervent prayers of the church were reaching Heaven, and at the very hour of despair, an angel of the Lord appeared. This divine messenger stirred Peter from his slumber with a force that initially led him to suspect he was still dreaming. Yet, as the angel guided him step-by-step—commanding him to dress and move quietly—the supernatural unfolded: the heavy chains fell away, and the prison gates opened seemingly by themselves, paving the way for Peter’s escape. This extraordinary rescue reveals that even when human efforts seem to fail and the most secure prisons of life confine us, God’s power always finds a way to liberate and restore.
This narrative challenges us to trust in God’s unexpected deliverance in our times of trial. Our lives, much like Peter’s, may sometimes be marked by periods of spiritual slumber or fear, where we feel bound by our circumstances. Yet, just as God sent His angel to awaken Peter from his sleep, He often works in ways that defy our understanding, gently urging us to rise and act according to His sovereign plan. As a modern church, let us remain vigilant in prayer and supportive of one another—open to recognizing the subtle signs of God’s intervention. May we nurture a deep trust in His timing, knowing that when our resources fall short and our strength wanes, the divine power of Jesus will guide us to freedom and new beginnings.
In His Service,
Ryan Goodnight