Read: Acts 12:1-15
Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me. (v. 11)
I would venture to guess that anyone who thinks the Bible is boring has not read the book of Acts. Filled with shipwrecks, prison escapes, dreams and visions, unlikely converts, and more, this book gives us a taste of what the Spirit-led life looked like for the early church. It can be easy to read such fantastical accounts as Peter’s prison break and wonder, “Did this really happen?”
If we look a little closer at the text, however, we ought to be encouraged that Peter also had trouble believing his angel-led prison break was real. Arriving in brilliant light, an angel “struck Peter on the side and woke him,” causing the chains to fall from Peter’s hands (v. 7). The angel then told Peter to get dressed, put his shoes on, and conceal himself in his cloak. Hours away from execution, Peter assumed he was having a vision. It was only after the angel led him past two sets of guards, opened a locked iron gate, and disappeared that Peter “came to himself” and realized an angel of the Lord had been his guide (v. 11).
How many of us can admit to sleepwalking through our days, unaware and unawake to the awesome presence of God and the angels in our midst? There’s a feast of heavenly resources available to us, but pride, fear, and doubt keep us locked in our prison cells.
As you pray, ask God to awaken you to his presence and give you a renewed vision of spiritual freedom for your own life.
Katelyn J. Dixon is a contemplative writer, speaker, and poet living in the Seattle area. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys cooking, photography, and exploring the enchanting Pacific Northwest with her husband, Drew, while partnering with him in life and ministry.
