Unstoppable! 'A Great Commotion' — Acts 12:18-19

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

At dawn [after the angel freed Peter from prison,] there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn't be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

Key Thought

Don't you just love the way Luke expresses the results of Peter's deliverance from the Roman soldiers - at least the description before the guards were sentenced to death: "There was a great commotion among the soldiers..." How did Peter escape such high security while being heavily guarded in prison? We know, don't we? The power of the living God who raised Jesus from the dead and removed him from the imprisonment of the tomb also delivered Peter from prison and anticipated execution! If the liberation of Peter was amazing and bewildering for Peter and the disciples, it was terrifying, mystifying, and deadly for the soldiers guarding him. They knew their lives were on the line if Peter escaped. The point, however, is simple: No power can hold those whom God wants free. This truth must give us confidence, even in the face of threats, oppression, and persecution.

Today's Prayer

O, Father, my heart intercedes for my brothers and sisters enduring persecution and opposition of all kinds. I ask, O Almighty, that you intervene for the sake of your imprisoned and abused servants facing persecution in different parts of the world. Awaken me from my self-serving focus and renew my passion for my persecuted family all over the world. I believe, dear Father, that you are Deliverer and Savior. I ask you to rescue my brothers and sisters who are under oppression, O God, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 12:18-19 NLT — At dawn [after the angel freed Peter from prison,] there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn't be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 15, 2026

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Our spiritual privileges are of the highest order. "Among princes" is the place of select society. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with...."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, patient one, Give us hearts that gladly show respect for those who labor among us and who lead us and admonish us in the Lord. Fill us....."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"'Twas an unhappy Division that has been made between Faith and Works; though in my Intellect I may divide them, just as in the Candle I know there is both Light..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can..."

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.