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

–Parallel verses:
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

There have been times in my life where the presence of God was so tangible that I felt like he was guiding me through the steps needed to accomplish his purposes. Through college, when I had little income and no other support, I was running out of funds. God then guided me to a program for disabled students (though my small hand is not a major disability) and they funded the rest of my college education.

When I was alone and wondering if I would ever find the right woman for me, God guided me to my wife, Cherish, who lived in another state. I was introduced to her and she was a perfect fit for me. Twenty-four years later, we are growing closer and coming out of challenges stronger.

And when God wanted me to plan a rally for the police in the middle of COVID, in six weeks at a large convention center, he guided me every step of the way.

Peter here was a faithful minister of the gospel. He had just witnessed his friend and fellow apostle, James, killed by the sword. Now he was arrested. This was a major attack by the evil ruler Herod on the leadership of the Christian church. And his plan was to try and humiliate them in public with a trial. But God had other plans.

Herod had 16 Roman soldiers guarding Peter. He was chained to two of them in his prison cell. This, however, was no problem for an angel of God Almighty. And we see that this angel stealthily guided Peter out of the cell, out of the prison, through the gates, and into the street.

It reminds me of the 23rd Psalm. Like a shepherd, the angel guided him. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Peter saw the hand of God in this messed up and evil world. The prayers of the church were answered.

In looking back, some may wonder why the Lord did not intervene for James like he did Peter? We do not know. What we do know is he loved them both and he had a purpose and plan for both of them … in life, in death, and in the afterlife in Heaven. It was James’ time to go, becoming a martyr. Peter was to be used to show the mighty power of God. His time to die and go to Heaven would come later.

Lord, thank you for your ways which are sovereign and just. You are in charge, and I report for duty as your servant and faithful follower. Whatever the assignment, I know you will be close to me and guide me through it like a Good Shepherd guides his sheep. Thank you! Lead on, King Jesus, lead on!