Jail Break!

Daily Reading: Acts 12

Scripture Focus: And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. (Acts 12.8-9)

Devotional Thought: Herod threw Peter in jail to await execution.  God had other plans!  He sent an angel to the prison where Peter was being held, chained between two soldiers with another set guarding the entrance to his cell.  And, there was a huge iron gate between Peter and freedom: big obstacles, but not a problem for God!  The soldiers slept like babies while chains were broken and a gate was opened. 

But, what did Peter do?

·       Dressed himself.  The first thing we must be certain of when dealing with hostile forces is to ensure that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.  When we are concerned about our own rights or insist on our own rightness, we forfeit the covering of Christ’s righteousness.

·       Put on his sandals.  Paul wrote about this: “Put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace” (Ephesians 6.15, CEB).  We are not defending ourselves but rather proclaiming the gospel.

·       Wrapped his cloak around himself.  In addition to his clothes and sandals, Peter needed something to protect himself from the elements of the dark night.  To guard ourselves from the darkness, we must have the cloak of understanding.  Study the Bible.

·       Followed the angel.  God told the Israelites, “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared” (Exodus 23.20).  Jesus told his disciples, “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10.20).

This is good counsel no matter what we face.  We need the righteousness of Christ, the gospel of peace, the wisdom of the Word, and the guiding presence of the Spirit!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, set me free from the prison of fear that I may stand in your righteousness and proclaim the gospel of peace.  Teach me your Word that I might follow you in the way I should go, by the power of your Spirit.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 69.29-36

29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.

32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

33 For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.

35 For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it;

36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.