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The Great Escape

I love the story in scripture about God freeing Peter from prison in a miraculous way! As you read about Peter’s fantastic escape in Acts 12, it is essential to understand the extent of Peter’s imprisonment. 

1. In verse 4, Peter is “being guarded by four squads of four men each.” That’s 16 soldiers guarding Peter. WOW! Talk about security for one person! 
2. Verse 6 tells us that Peter had to sleep between two soldiers, he was chained, and there were guards at the entrance of his prison cell. This is Peter, not Samson, right? 
3. And Peter was imprisoned in a city with large iron gates, which I’m sure were locked and guarded as well. No way out of there.

Peter was under strict security. There was no possible way to get out, away, or escape. Peter was going to face trial the next day! 

Sometimes in our daily lives, we can feel that way—imprisoned, trapped, with no way out. We can find ourselves in financial chains, struggling in bad relationships, wrestling with an addiction that we can’t break free from, or maybe life seems to have us behind bars. The devil loves to use frustrating and seemingly hopeless times to discourage us, tempt us, and speak lies over us. 

Can you imagine how Peter was feeling? He was going to stand trial the next day, and after seeing Herod execute James, I have to believe that Peter was scared and worried about his outcome. Life was coming down on him, and there didn’t seem to be any way out!  

But, God makes his presence and power known in a very tangible way. Through the work of his angels, God frees Peter! Although God was there with him the whole time, God chose that moment to set Peter free. Even with all of the guards, chains, locks, and gates, in the face of the worst situation, God freed Peter! “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.” God took the impossible and made it possible, a reality! 

What chains do you find yourself in this week? Do you know that God is with you through everything? There are not enough guards, chains, gates, or walls that can keep you from our God. Our all-sovereign, all-powerful, and all-loving God will set you free and help you rebuke the lies of the devil. He is our hope and assurance that whatever prison we find ourselves in, he is the key to our peace and freedom. Seek the “Way,” and he will guide you to freedom. Call on his name, and he will make the impossible, possible!

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