Sleeping Like a Baby - Pt 2

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). Yesterday we saw that Peter was relaxed enough, trusting in the Lord, that he could sleep through the ordeal of his imprisonment and the threat of death. Today, I want you to see that there is a time to sleep and a time to get up. Did you notice it? The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” It was fine for Peter to sleep; however, now was a time for action. He needed to get up quickly and prepare to leave his prison. Notice also, it is then that the chains fell off his hands. I am always tempted to tell God what I need before I do what he asks me to do. It usually is an “if-then” kind of statement. Jonah’s disobedience was rooted in this kind of attitude. He was not willing to go to Ninevah and preach because he knew it wouldn’t have the outcome he wanted. Well, that never works out very well! I find that when I am immersed in a circumstance that doesn’t seem to have a solution it’s usually my fear and anxiety that I won’t be able to control things that keeps me from the freedom and victory I desire. Sleeping in a crisis is not bad; but, when we fail to get up when called of God, we will always be stuck. It’s interesting here that the angel had to strike Peter in the side to wake him. I think it is Luke’s way of helping us to understand that Peter was so comfortable in the presence and purpose of God for his future that he was failing to see his present. He was going to be taken to heaven someday; but that day wasn’t then. We cannot fall into the temptation of substituting tomorrow’s blessing for today’s challenge. Sometimes we must simply get up. Chains will fall off, gates that were locked will open, and certain defeat will be changed to victory. Whatever you are facing today, perhaps the message is to wake up. Perhaps it’s time to put you cloak on and get ready to travel. The same peace that allowed you to sleep will accompany you in your journey. Come on, let’s get going. We’ve got places to go!