Rescued From That Which Binds Us!

This morning I am reading out of the Acts of the Apostles, specifically chapter 12. This is the story of how the Lord rescued Peter from prison, and likely from death. I was just thinking how the Lord is capable of setting us free from the most difficult circumstances, or dangerous scenarios. The Lord does have the keys and all power.

Acts 12:1-12 NIV:
[1] "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. [2] He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. [3] When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. [4] After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

[6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

[8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

[11] Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” [12] When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying."

A couple of things stand out when I read these verses. First, this was not just a simple prison sentence, but based on verse one, it was clearly Herod's plan to put Peter to death. He had already killed one of the 12, and he was obviously thinking he would kill the leaders, thus he arrested Peter. Peter was Ina very dangerous place.

Secondly the church was praying and had not given up hope, in fact they were having an all night prayer party . This is so critical, to believe the Lord's word over the circumstances that you confronted with!

Third, God moved to rescue Peter. We can find ourselves in tough circumstances through no fault of our own, and although there doesn't look like there is a way out, if we depend on the Lord He can set us free, even to the point of blinding our captors. This was a miraculous escape, yet full within the Lord's ability to act upon.

So let us look to our savior and redeemer, the one who loves us. Let us call out to him and prayer for release from that which binds us keeps us prisoner. He is kind and merciful to all that call upon Him!