Acts 12:1-17
We all have experienced, at one time or another, deliverance from situations or circumstances in our lives only to find ourselves in another situation. Have you ever experienced a true, supernatural deliverance by the grace of God? As we look at this passage, we can see it's by God's hand that Peter was delivered from Herod the king. Peter was put in prison with four squads of soldiers to watch over him. Herod must have been pretty concerned that Peter would escape with fewer guards; why else would he use four squads? But Peter knew constant prayer was going forth to God for his protection. The night he was to be delivered to Herod, an angel of the Lord appeared and shined a light into the prison. Between two soldiers Peter slept, bound in chains. In this moment Peter was struck in the side and told to rise up quickly, and the chains fell off. Peter, of course, thought he was dreaming; that was until he and the angel came to the gates which led to the city. The angel then departed from Peter. Peter knew, at that moment, that the Lord had sent an angel to deliver him from Herod and what was to come. He knew it was through prayer that God delivered him. Peter then went to the house of Mary, where many were praying. When Rhoda recognized his voice, she ran to tell the others that Peter was at the door. Of course they didn't believe her, until they opened the door and saw with their own eyes that it truly was Peter. Peter told the amazing truth of how the Lord had delivered him that night, and was able to go forth to share His love with others.
We all can experience that same deliverance. Come to Jesus in prayer and supplication, seek His face daily, lay everything—all circumstances and situations, good and bad—at the Cross. Give it all to Christ—He will deliver you. That doesn't mean we will never experience troubled times or strife again, but if we trust in Jesus, and give it all to Him daily—seek His face daily—we can have the peace of deliverance that can only come supernaturally through the Cross. He will give strength, even in times of our weakness. So the next time we find ourselves in the midst of trouble or strife, a situation we really don't want to be in or even the quiet times, turn to Jesus. Let Him be our deliverance—daily. What a wonderful life we can have in Christ Jesus! He is our deliverance!!! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6). Seek Him this day and always, in all things. God Bless, and Merry Christmas!
~ Melody Krauser
