If you have never read the book of Acts for yourself, you REALLY need to. It is an amazing book.
One of my favorite stories is found in Acts 12:6-19. Let me set it up for you. James, the brother of John, has just been martyred by King Herod, and Peter has been imprisoned. And if you think you know the story, I guarantee you there are things you have overlooked and missed. You need to lick that cow again, as my daddy would say.
In verse 3, we see Peter was arrested during the days of Unleavened Bread, but with the whole fiasco with Jesus’ illegal trials, Herod decides to wait until the Passover is done in order to execute Peter. Let’s break this down because it’s important. There is the Passover which lasts 24 hours. The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasts 7 days. So there’s 8 days total the Jews celebrate.
In verse 6, we read, “On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution…” God waits until the night before Herod is going to execute Peter in order to break Peter out of prison.
Is anybody else wondering what took God so long? Why didn’t God rescue Peter on the first, second, third, even fourth night? Have you ever questioned God’s timing in your life? Dottie Peoples sings a song “He’s an on time God.” She sings, “He may not come when we want Him, but He’ll be there right on time.” Beth Moore’s quote from “Wishing Up”: “God is never late. He misses a few good opportunities to be early, but He’s never late.” The point is God shows up, but it’s in His timing.
We may not understand His timing but that’s not our job. Isaiah 55:8-9, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways. This the Lord’ declaration. For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. HCSB
In verse 5, it says “prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.” James 5:16 says…”The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” HCSB. If nothing else resulted from Peter’s last minute release, those who were praying for him had to have been encouraged in their faith upon hearing his story of escape.
God never wastes anything. Don’t you know Peter took every opportunity to witness to the guards who were chained to him 24/7? Don’t you know the guards probably heard the word preached boldly and without hesitation? We don’t know how many families were impacted by Peter spending 7 days and nights in prison.
Who is watching you wait for God? What will they see? What will they hear? What will your testimony be?
During times of trial and tribulation, are you seizing the opportunity to witness and share the good news to those who God places in your path? Those guards would not have crossed Peter’s path had they not been chained to him day and night.
Too often during trial and tribulations, are you stressed and wondering where God is? Why isn’t He answer your prayers? Are you focused on the problem ahead of you so much you fail to see the God who is in control? Easy to say, not always easy to do.