Acts 12:1-25 KJV
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Make sure you on the right side of torment, because being on the wrong side means death will come to you. Herod demise at the end of the chapter is more fitting then imagined if we think on it awhile. Scripture says to pray for your enemies and rightly so. God is able to change our foes. However in our anger we may desire revenge, but in truth as a believer our desire for another should be salvation for their so, for no man has to be crucified for their sin by God or man. For we all deserve death, not one person is guiltless, but Jesus gave us his redeeming grace. This story starts with James apostles being beheaded. It pleasing the Jews. What we also see his Herod so intent on pleasing a people that honor him so much, he decided to take Peter and put him in prison to kill him. Peter a man of faith maybe more then most, as he sat between two soldiers and escaped prison many times by an aid of an angel of the Lord. Peter angel came again and unlocked the cell and the chains that held him in prison. Peter becoming an escape artists, not by his power but God's protection in his life. Peter could not walk through walls or anything unusual, he still had to walk down the ward with the angel leading him to outside the gate, that open immediately on its own. However he had trouble entering the home of the John the son of Mary. The gate shut and Rhoda went to the gate asked who it was and he said Peter and she immediately instead of opening the gate went and told the room of people.

How many people have come to a person door unexpect, and yet still heard the voice and could not open the door. I did n't think it could happen but I been there not because of one running from the government but because I was not expecting the person at the door. Oh don't worry when i figure it out that someone was actually there i opened the door. My husaband ran a fire call one night and when he did, I locked him out and so it took about ten minutes for him to convince me he was locked out of the house. I had gone back to sleep and will I use to sleep really sound, I don't anymore. He look at me and asked why didn't I open the door, because I was asleep by the time he answered i was sound asleep again.

This story in Acts might sound like it is okay to escape from prison, but we must remember Peter was protected by God in all situations., because he was leading the church. Was he greater then Jesus no. Yet his cross would cost others their lives. Two soldiers would die because Peter escaped. Do not be on the wrong side of God's anointing, the cost might be your own life. It seems harsh. We do not know how God had spoken to these two soldiers that sat beside Peter. We can speculate that Peter witnessed to them and perhaps they would not hear of it.

Peter walked out of prison three times, this being his third time. Yet Rhoda could not believe though she knew Peter voice. She shout that Peter angel let him out again, I sure they thought she was nuts till someone open the door and their stood Peter. The joy of the saints that night, but they knew Peter had to leave or Herod would kill him. When God is not through with you, nothing will kill you or if it does, he able to resurrect you up. Peter time was not up, his life he would one day return to face the cross but it would be Rome and not on the day God released him from prison by an angel.

Rhoda no one knows how she knew Peter exactly, whether she was smitten or just waiting in hopes as a friend. Or if she was just a servant of John who believed and did not want any of the apostles killed. However she was overcome by him being at the door she forgot to let him in. He tells how God protected him and that he sat between two soldiers that very night and yet the angel came and let him out, and he escaped through the city gate. This type of tale alone would spur the disciples of Jesus on, spur the new church on, because they knew some would die like James and others would live and escape as Peter, not all would bear their cross immediately for the Gospel sake.

Dear Heavenly Father, remind us of your protection in our life, that even when it hard for others to believe it also gives hope of your will be accomplished in the believers life and that sometimes you allow your own to escape danger including death and other times you take us through and sometimes on to paradise. Lord help us to rest that when our journey is to follow your will and allow your grace to be sufficient in the journey, along with your protection. in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Psalm 55:16-23 KJV
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.