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.

— Acts 12:18-19 NLT

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

Surprised?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I hope you enjoy reading the verses below as much as I enjoyed being at work in the lives of My disciples bringing them deliverance. ....."

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

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'For Some Folks, Miracles Aren't Enough!'
"Dear Disciple, My words in yesterday's Scripture (Luke 11:14-26) were hard. The folks I spoke them to didn't like them. So, they challenged Me to do...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Resurrection Afterglow!' (Jn. 2:22)
"After [Jesus] was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said ["Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"], and they....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 97:10
"Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord is the Great God'
"For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs....."

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.

More Unstoppable!