Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
The disciples were surprised by deliverance as an answer to prayer. And I wonder, why am I at times so surprised when God provides for me in big ways or answers prayer to save, rescue, restore, and/or heal at times?
I think it is due to a lack of recognition of the massive power of our God and the immense love he has for us. Look at the attention to detail and design he used when he formed us: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:13-16).
If God was so intentional and deliberate in designing and creating us, it is reasonable to think he loves us greatly and will protect and provide for us.
Here are some select verses from Psalm 91: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Vs. 1-2) “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Vs. 4) “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Vs. 9-12)
While I understand the surprise of the disciples to see Peter in the middle of the night (after they watched his arrest and likely either saw or heard of the 16 soldiers watching over him), I also must expect God to act in big ways.
How big is the God I serve? Am I willing to dedicate time in prayer each day to understand his power and might? This will definitely help put my worries and cares in perspective!
Lord, thank you for this example of a church praying fervently for Peter, without much earthly hope. You are above all things on this earth, and I can wait on you for your mighty hand to act. Whether it seems that you did not with James, in order for him to be martyred for your glory, or as you did with Peter, helping him escape Herod’s heavily guarded jail. I choose each day to renew my faith in you!
