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Day 101 Acts 12:1 Now Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 When he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it happened during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church offered constant prayer to God for him. 6 When Herod decided to bring him out, that night Peter slept, bound with two chains between two soldiers: with guards before the door, keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so, he did. He said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate, leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; they went out and down one street, and then the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” 12 When he considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many gathered praying. 13 As Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So, they said, “It is his angel.” 16 Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison. He said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. What do you do when life goes from bad to worse? Do you imagine the worst-case scenarios? Do you hope for a miracle to get you out of your predicament? Herod killed James the brother of John. When he saw how pleased the Jewish people were with what he did, he captured Peter and put him in prison with four squads of soldiers, sixteen soldiers guarding him and chained to him, intending to kill him also after the Passover. However, God had other plans for Peter and sent His angel to free him. Peter didn’t realize that what happened was real. He thought he was dreaming. However, when the angel left him, he realized it was real, not his imagination, and went to the home of John Mark where people gathered in prayer for him. When Rhoda answered the door, she was glad to see him. Instead of opening the door, she went to tell the others Peter was at the door, but they didn’t believe her until they went to the door and saw for themselves. He told them to tell James, the half-brother of Jesus, and the other disciples what took place and left them. In the morning when Herod planned to execute Peter, he found him gone. After searching for him and questioning the guards, he had them killed and went to Caesarea. As Christians, what do you do when God answers your prayers in a miraculous way? You tell others so they can share in your miracle and be glad for you. Yet there will always be skeptics, even among Christians who need solid proof of the miracle. Rhoda told the others Peter was at the door, but until they opened the door themselves and saw Peter, they didn’t believe it. They had prayed all night for God to miraculously deliver Peter from prison, but they didn’t believe it would happen. They knew sixteen soldiers guarded Peter. It was impossible for God to answer their prayers. When God answered their prayers and Peter stood before them, they were astonished. Don’t tell me you’re not astonished when God provides your miracle. You just spent the night praying for God to work, hoping for Him to come through for you. When He brings a miracle your way, you’re surprised. Then when you realize the reality of the situation your skepticism changes to gladness, and you tell the other skeptics how God worked His miracle in your life so they can rejoice with you. Miracles happen every day. However, people need proof of the miracle, or they won’t believe it. Jesus said with man things are impossible, but not with God. God works the impossible in your life. What further proof do you need that God is working in your life? Let’s pray: Father, take my skepticism from me and make me glad and rejoice when You work in my life Your everyday miracles. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 25 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.