The idea of imprisonment and being killed for one faith is not something of any belief wants to think about. Yet, for the Christian there is hope beyond the execution. James and John were beheaded, two fellow disciples of Jesus and Peter was then taken in chains. Peter now, not only in mourning but no doubt fearing in what would or might become of himself, could only hope for God’s deliverance once more. Peter had been beaten for his faith, but now faced the possibility of execution. Peter a man of faith not without hope, but with the reality of what had become of His brethren in his mind. The believers in Christ were praying and asking for the deliverance of Peter, but it would take an act of God to deliver Peter for Herod had seen how it pleased the Jewish people for him to be killed. Jews not understanding who Jesus was, the man Peter and the disciples preached about.

Peter slept between to guards for Herod apparently was afraid he might escape. After all Peter had escaped before and preached in the city streets, fearing God rather then men. Had Peter in his heart felt that this was the end with two guards beside him, the scripture does not say. Yet an angel of the Lord stood and then knelt beside him hitting him on his side saying arise come with me. There was a bright light in the cell from the angel, and as the chains fell off he arose and followed the angel outside the city. At first Peter thought it only been a dream. Yet has he stood outside the city gate he knew it was real. God had freed him once more.

Our chains may not be made of steel and iron today, but I guarantee they are sometimes as strong as steel. The effects of drugs and alcohol kill many people today. If narcotics ever become legalized or even marijuana, the effects could cause many more changes to develop. The chains of prescription narcotics can be just as bad, even if there is a justification to take them. These chains for some are not easily taken from people. Yet the power of God has delivered many from the death of these substances. The chains of vehicle wrecks being held within the confines of the vehicle until rescue workers arrive is only seen with the word entrapment unless set free, the person would probably die. No one can understand that feeling unless they been awake entrapped in a vehicle. Those stuck in a cave or other small space can only pray someone comes looking. Underwater crevices bring many to their death. Yet there are stories that only God could of delivered.

God deliverances is known to those who knows there was only one solution but Jesus. Only the pray of hope for deliverance. It matters not if it was a spiritual being or a human being. The deliverance coming forth had to be God, for there was no other solution. Back in Bible days Peter was surrounded by the chains and two soldiers on each side. The greatest means of keeping a prisoner in his bonds at that time. Yet the two jailors would meet their own death for not keeping a closer eye. It does not seem completely right. Yet God’s timing for death and life for each person is not marked by their entrapment but by His timing of deliverance to continue living or death.

The believer that has the hope of God can rest assured that even entrapped by his own doing or not, can be set free by the power of God. Peter was doing the Lords work and under the protection of God. None of the things I mentioned above of entrapment is for the Lord. God deliverance is not always based on what you are doing, or even faith, it based on God’s timing for your life to end or to live. Being deliver from entrapment of any kind and not praising God should be a crime, but many walk away not fully realizing the power of God deliverance in their own lives. Man becomes desensitized by the technology of our world of God’s deliverance. GPX mark where you are to rescuers no longer seem like an act of God. Yet the power of God needs not technology, but God uses it sometimes. Yet God can break those chains like he did for Peter that night by an angel He sent. Angels are not meant to be believed in, they are servants of God but not mortal man, but can be mortal. Mortal in the flesh because they ministers of faith. Yet there angels also that appear with light around them that declare who they are.

We can only thank God for his deliverance and press on in faith. Peter’s predicament was factor of his faith and not means of his own hands. Today most countries know the persecution still of believers in Christ. America Christians fight the devil too, but usually not from our government at this time. Our government must defend our rights too. Our hope can not rest in our government but always in God our Savior who delivers us from the enemy.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to have the faith we need to believe in your deliverance as well as eternity. Knowing whatever you do for our escape or death, the hope is in you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Countdown To Thanksgiving 22 Days: Give Thanks to the Lord For His deliverance in the storms of life as He did Peter and others by entrapment of evil.