What Just Happened??

“Herod made sure that Peter was securely bound with 2 chains. Peter was sound asleep between 2 soldiers, with additional guards stationed outside his cell door, when all at once an angel of the Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light.” Acts 12:4-6 The light woke up Peter but not the guards. How did the same bright light shining on all 3 of them only wake the one in the middle up?? Maybe they were supernaturally blinded. Maybe God put them into a much deeper sleep. Regardless, the light was for Peter, specifically, and the guards continued to sleep. The light that shone to Peter emphasized God’s presence in his situation. God also heard the constant prayers of the people.

As if the light wasn’t enough, “The angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry up! Let’s go!” Acts 12:7 The angel wanted to make sure Peter was awake. The light and the “nudge” in his side were signs of God's intervention and presence. It took both to wake Peter up. How was Peter sleeping so soundly, in the first place, not knowing whether he would really be dying the next day. Clearly, God had given him a supernatural peace, again, as a result of God’s presence and the people’s constant prayers. Peter is now awake enough to stand up. “Instantly the chains fell off his wrists. The angel told him, ‘Get dressed. Put on your sandals, bring your cloak, and follow me.’ Acts 12:7-8 Peter heard the chains hit the floor and quickly left the cell and followed the angel, “even though he thought it was only a dream or a vision, for it seemed unreal—he couldn’t believe it was really happening!” Peter was now rested, free and dressed for whatever happened next. Peter was being released from his limitations as a human - the chains and prison walls. He was physically free and God was now in control.

“They walked unseen past the first guard post and then the second before coming to the iron gate that leads to the city—and the gate swung open all by itself right in front of them! They went out into the city and were walking down a narrow street when all of a sudden the angel disappeared.” Acts 22:10 He was left just standing there, alone. Everything had happened so fast and once he was out, his mind had to think “what just happened?” He looked and saw he was standing outside the city gate - no longer bound in prison. “That’s when Peter realized that he wasn’t having a dream! He said to himself, ‘This is really happening! The Lord sent His angel to rescue me from the clutches of Herod and from what the Jewish leaders planned to do to me.’” Acts 12:11

Have you ever felt like you were in your own prison? You just kind of sit there. You’re so overwhelmed that you don’t really expect God to free you. God IS with you and people are praying for you. You decide to rest and figure out what to do. And resting is okay because resting gives us a recharge that we need to keep on going. First, you see the light. The light is God‘s presence that He is in the situation. He is in your “prison” with you. He is the light in the darkest prison. Next, you take a step forward. You’ve got your shoes and coat on because His angel told you to be prepared. Then, the next thing you know, you are out! It still seems like a dream but God WILL set you free. You didn’t even recognize that you were once so tightly bound and now you’re free! Sometimes God intervenes and answers a prayer so quickly, we wonder “what just happened”?? Though Peter stumbled through till he was free, the answer was with him. He was following an angel. The angel showed him and told him what to do when Peter was not in control. He led him right out of his prison and sent him on his way. How many times has God set you free or answered your prayers in a way you didn’t expect and it took you a few minutes to recognize it? Just because it’s an answer that you didn’t expect doesn’t mean it isn’t the answer God gave you. Now you can say, like Peter: “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬ -11 TPT‬‬