Hosanna Restoration Church

Have you ever been left standing at the door, left hanging in a conversation, forgotten on hold, or had your phone go dead just as you finally found someone who could help you. In this episode of Peter’s life I see many short lessons that speak volumes to my soul.

First I am amazed that Peter is sound asleep the night before he is to be executed. This reminds me that I can lay down in peace and sleep in any circumstance if I will just put my trust in the Lord. Obviously Peter had peace in this situation so it is a good reminder to me to just rest in the Lord.

Then I see the angel waking Peter up and moving him clear out of the prison before he realizes it is not a dream. This reminds me that God is doing lots of things that I am not aware of and if I just continue to trust Him I will see His glory as His promises are fulfilled in my life.

Once Peter realized what was going on, he immediately headed for his friends to tell them what a great thing God had done for him. It is important that we encourage one another with the truth of what God is doing. And when God does do things we need to be sure to give him the glory for the encouragement of others.

Then I see Peter knock on the door and when they come to the door they don’t believe it is him. These are the same people that have been praying all night for his rescue and they can’t believe they got their prayer answered. Does that sound familiar? We pray about things and then our response to the answer is that we don’t believe it. Or worse yet, we get and answer to prayer and write it off as a coincidence. This reminds me to expect God to answer when I pray. And maybe check the door once in awhile for the answer.

Then there is Peter standing there knocking and knocking. Here Peter was free from prison but he had to keep knocking in order to get in where he wanted to be. This reminds me that God has set me free, but I need to keep pressing in, in order to get to that place in the kingdom that He has for me.

I also notice that when they came back to the door to let him in, Peter told them to keep it down. Just because he was out of prison did not keep him from being watchful and wise. God delivered him, but he was not anxious to go back where he was. Reminds me to stay free and not return the places and things God has delivered me from.

There is a great deal more that we can learn from God and His word if we will just keep knocking. Nothing is impossible if we will trust Him, rest in Him, and use the wisdom He provides.