Sleeping Like a Baby - Pt 1

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 don’t really know where this series is going to lead us! I do know that as I was reading the text in our reading today that there is a lot more than I can write in one devotional. The first incredible point that strikes me is that Peter was sleeping. Peter was not at his home, safe in his bed, sequestered from the threats of the world; Peter was in prison. Even then, he was not in prison with an uncertain future before him. He knew Herod was about to “bring him out” that very night. He had seen the cruelty of this king. He had every reason to believe that his life was forfeit and he had but hours to live. So, like anyone (written with dripping sarcasm) he decided to go to sleep. If I would been in his place I might have been pacing the prison floor, hearing the chains of my ankle restraints rattle and scrape as I moved reminding me even more of my dire circumstance. I’ve never been in exactly this situation before, though there have been a few times when I felt what I imagine he should have felt. Imagine checking into the hospital for surgery. Everyone is so cheerful and helpful. But, there is a somber attitude that just seems to hang over you. It’s very early in the morning, you’ve had nothing to eat or drink since midnight, and you really don’t want to be there at all. You are shown to a small sterile room with a bed and a chair and lots of equipment. Then you are very politely asked to undress and put on a paper “gown.” You have long since decided that modesty is a lost cause. No matter how much you cover up, someone is going to come along and uncover you for some procedure that has to be done in preparation for the surgery. Then the nurses and doctors start coming in to the room. Some of them you have met before, some you haven’t ever seen. They introduce themselves and cheerfully begin to poke and prod, preparing you for the procedure. Some of them bring a clipboard with documents and papers to be signed saying you were told how badly the whole thing could go. (I always like those conversations.) Then you’re left alone while they get the operating room ready. Someone inevitably will pop their head in and ask if you are comfortable. Sure… I’ve just been told that there are a dozen or more things that can go wrong and I might die or be left in a vegetative state for an undetermined period of time. I’m great! If I were Peter, I’d probably have decided that was a good time to take a nap. Since I’m not, I mentally pace the floor. Peter went to sleep because he knew whatever might happen, Jesus already knew what would happen and had made provision for it. He knew that the next few hours were nothing to be anxious about. His future was in the hands of his heavenly Father who loved him and promised to take care of him through every circumstance of life. Jesus was preparing his final home for him; and, when it was ready for him, Jesus would come to get him and take him there. He could easily “sleep like a baby.” That is a difficult task for all of us, especially in the midst of circumstances that threaten to undo our very lives. Today, can I merely say that nothing can undo us. Being a child of God guarantees our safe arrival in heaven. Whatever you may be facing today, trust in Him. He may already have an angel standing next to you to be your guide through it.