Unstoppable! 'Put on Your Sandals!' — Acts 12:7-8

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More

Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered.

— Acts 12:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

I can't help but be amused at all the angel did to help Peter. Even though Peter was in prison with every indication that he would be executed as James had been (Acts 12:1-2), he was sleeping so soundly that a bright light didn't awaken him. So, the angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him. He told Peter to get dressed and put on his sandals. Finally, he told him to put on his coat and follow him out of prison. The angel sounds like a parent trying to get children ready, out the door, and headed to school on a cool morning. God's miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison is truly amazing, while the details are so down-to-earth and real-to-life that they can make us chuckle. God was determined to get Peter to safety, so he answered the disciples' prayers for Peter (Acts 12:12) both powerfully and simply. After letting the other disciples know of his release, Peter took the opportunity to go to "another place" — presumably away from Jerusalem so he could continue his preaching elsewhere.*

* Acts 12:17 simply says "another place." We know from Galatians 2 and the letters of 1 and 2 Peter that Peter preached in Antioch and Asia Minor, focusing predominantly on his mission to Jewish people.

Today's Prayer

O Father, our world needs your deliverance. We need your deliverance from our selfish and pig-headed ways. We need miraculous deliverance in treatments and vaccines to help us overcome infectious viral diseases. We need your Spirit to guide our efforts as we seek to overcome racism and the pain and division this evil has caused. We ask you to use us and give us the courage to bless our broken world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 4:23-31
  • Acts 12:1-5

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 10, 2024

A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven's government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Let us therefore become imitators of His endurance; and if we should suffer for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He gave this example to us in His own...."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 12:7-8 NLT — Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.