A Little Rest

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 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. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” (Acts 12:6-11 ESV). I have been accused of being able to sleep in any position! I suppose that’s at least partially true. When I get ready to sleep very little keeps me awake! I have found that to be a very positive ability. Peter must have been that way. In our reading this morning we see that it was only a few years after the death and resurrection of Christ, and the Christians were experiencing some serious persecution. King Herod had arrested James and killed him. When he saw how well that went over with the religious leaders of the day, he arrested Peter with the same intent. While Peter was kept in prison awaiting execution, we see this miraculous deliverance. The real interesting part of the whole story is in the fact that he was asleep. When do you sleep the worst? When a project is due the next day? When the bills on the kitchen table add up to more than the balance in the checking account? When your kids are out late? When you are nervous, stressed, worried? When do you sleep the best? When you are on vacation? On Friday evenings when you know you can sleep late the next morning? When your projects are completed and you are "ahead of the game?" When you are at peace? Look at it again: "Peter was sleeping..." We toss and turn with thoughts of work and life. We stare wide-eyed at the ceiling wondering how we will make it till the end of the month. We lie awake, our head spinning with our responsibilities. Then we look at Peter and think: "How in the world could he have slept at such a time?" Perhaps he was remembering the words of Christ: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Cf. Matthew 11:28). The following prayer may be of help to you today: “God, it is late in the evening, and I can't sleep. My mind simply won't slow down. I need Your peace. I need to be reminded that rest is found in you. That the security that allows sleep starts in You. That I can come to You and you will give me rest. Work in my heart and in my mind and in my emotions. Give me Your peace. Lead me into Your rest. Amen.” Get a little rest. He will take care of you!