With a Subtitle: Acts 12:18 reminds Christians to seek peace, restoration, and freedom in Christ.
A brief Excerpt: Peter’s empty chains caused great commotion, but Acts 12:18 points us to a deeper question: are we living in the peace and freedom Christ has made possible?
Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Acts 12:18, “In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.”
Background
I take it from today’s verse that there was quite a commotion when the soldiers came to check on Peter that next morning. Things were evidently not right, no? I mean, chains shouldn’t be empty, cell doors shouldn’t be open, and prisoners shouldn’t be missing, especially without the slightest resistance from the men with the swords. And so, the order and calm that had accompanied sunset were replaced at sunrise by chaos and dread and panic. And the elevation in urgency was to be expected. The guards were supposed to keep secure the prized capture and deliver him to Herod when he came to collect him. But that wasn’t going to happen, not unless they found Peter, and quickly. And the soldiers knew that if Peter remained MIA, they had bigger problems with Herod. So, can’t you feel the angst and fear that had gripped those men? What was good had gone sour and had upset them to no end. Probably not unlike something from your memories that still turns your stomach upside down when you think about it. But what about the present day where your walk with Christ is concerned? What kind of commotion is there within your spirit when things are not as they should be? Are you able to brush it aside and go about your day, or do you consider that One higher than you has a supreme interest in what is going on or not going on?
Application
Like that jail cell, we have a prized Person within, and if our relationship with Him is not one of calm and order and peace, we have bigger problems with God. But unlike the soldiers, whose lives will be snuffed out for their mistake, our future can be one of joyous restoration and one free of commotion and distance. God cares about us infinitely more than Herod cared about killing Peter, and His first and only desire is for you and me to be right with Him. So, take the time to look over your situation. Compare where you are with where He has called you to be. No matter how good or bad it might seem, He offers the same grace, apart from which none of us could know and approach Him. Your chains should be empty and you no longer a prisoner. Let that be your condition, this and every morning.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let what has become of you be all that Jesus has made possible in and for you.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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