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We have here a pen picture of the sinner,-—the victim of Satan’s hatred: bound by chains of habit; imprisoned by walls of obstacles; guarded- by evil companions; in the darkness of unbe lief; awaiting his final execution. God sends help,— a ray of light from His Word— some power like a blow to awaken his conscience; chains are broken; the man exercises his will, faith and obedience; passes out of bondage into glorious liberty. In all there is needed a surrendered will, a yielded heart. The child-like submission of the great apostle is a lesson to us all. God has His way; yield to it. God leads out into a broad place; follow Him. God never issues a mandate without giving power to obey. Walls an'1 doors are as nothing to Him; follow where He leads. (3) PRAYER AND DOUBT, vs. 12- 17. “ Prayer was made without ceasing,” but “ when they saw him they were as tonished.” While Peter was bound in prison, the church was bent in prayer. The need was imminent; the prayer was inces sant. There was no petition to an em peror, but supplication to the Eternal. The church went beyond the palace to the heavenly place. They wasted no effort in a vain at tempt to secure his release through the natural channels. They were dealing with the powers of hell, so they laid hold of the powers of Heaven. They laid hold of God by faith, and forced the .issue by supernatural means (Psa. 50:15). Perhaps John quoted this as they went to prayer, and plead with the Lord to bare His arm, and make good His Word.- “ Without ceasing,”— the term means “ stretched out.” For seven days they prayed (vs .3-6). What a company,— Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Mary, Rhoda and others! What a power there is in united prayer! (Eph. 6:18-
with Jews, and Herod planned a spe cial trial for Peter after Easter. Herod could not have apprehended Peter without the consent of God. (John 19:11.) Twice Peter had boasted of his wil lingness to die (John 13:36-38). The devices of man cannot stand before the plan of God (Prov. 19:21; Prov. 27:1). Peter had been securely bound and lay sleeping between two soldiers. He was used to prison life; had been there be fore. He could sleep because he had the promise of the Lord that he was to die in defense of the truth (John 21:18). Peter seemed doomed. The enemy was strong. There were bolts and bars, chains and sentries, a wicked king and Satan arrayed against him. What hope could there be for one sheep amidst such wolves? But God knows all about His children, — their names, their homes, their thoughts, their hearts, their trials, their needs (Psa. 34:15; 34:7; 2 Ki. 6:16; Rom. 8:31). He knows how to deliver and when. There was no army to rescue Peter; no mob to break down the door; no earthquake to unshackle his chain; no petition for a reprieve. There was an angel; a supernatural light; a stroke; a command. There was no outcry, no fear, but simple obedience. Peter puts on his sandals and girds himself. God never does for us what we can do for ourselves. This part of the picture is as inter esting as any other: The prisoner mak ing his toilet in the dead of night, while his guards sleep. Silently he follows his guide beyond the watch, passing through doors which open of their own accord,— beyond the gate,; into the streets of Jerusalem, and then hif heavenly ministrant departs. He had no further need of guidance. He knew the way to the house of Mark’s mother.
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