HAVING FAITH AND FEELING TERRIFIED INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE...

INSIDE THE STORMS: herod’s dungeon

PeteR’S OVERWHELMING VICTORY

“THE NIGHT BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”, PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS..[IN A DUNGEON OR ANCIENT PRISON], BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS, AND SENTRIES STOOD GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE...” (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

“...Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.  Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

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Peter is INSIDE the STORM and in the coming morning he would go to trial, which typically would end in his death by the sword. He was aware that other fellow disciples had already been arrested, persecuted, and put to death for belonging to the church. “...It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword ...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).

Peter was INSIDE a STORM. Though Peter was redeemed and had a strong faith in Christ it would not have been surprising if he was TERRIFIED about what he was about to FACE at his trial the following morning. We see this TERROR in King Jehoshaphat. “…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  

When going through the STORMS of LIFE, God will find a WAY to strengthen and encourage, his people, by empowering them to continue to trust in and depend upon his sovereign love and care for them. “…Great is his love toward us...” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

“… Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and BEGGED the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“...God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam ...“Be still, and know that I am God ... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).

God will FIGHT for his people and TAKE CARE of the things that concern them. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is for us, who is against us? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

The STORMS OF LIFE that concern God’s people are ALL under God’s sovereign control and they are promised “overwhelming victory.” “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

 “... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...overwhelming victory is ours through Christ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

Peter trusted in and depended upon God, the Holy Spirit, and CHOSE to entrust the STORM to HIM. Thus, “...THE NIGHT BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”, PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

Peter’s VICTORY from THE STORM is a WITNESS of the FAVOR of God upon the lives of HIS PEOPLE. It also REVEALS God’s love and desire to show his GLORY (presence, goodness, and power) to them! “…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “...Be still, and know that I am God ... the God of Israel is our fortress (defense, stronghold, place of protection, etc.).” (Psalms 46 NLT). “…BLESSINGS are on the head of the righteous…” (Proverbs 10:6 NASB).  “…You surround [your people] ... WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...overwhelming victory is ours  (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us (and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

“... PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV). While Peter SLEPT God took care of his concerns. “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).

“...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [me]…” (John 14:31 NASB). Thus, “... PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV). “…The LORD “will” BLESS his people with peace…” (Psalm 29:11 KJV).

“...my peace I give unto you...” (John 14:27 NIV). “...my peace ...not as the world giveth, give I unto you. ...[Therefore,]... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 NIV).

“… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). “... PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

“…We are HIS PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). WHO? “…Those who BELONG TO Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Therefore,  “...overwhelming victory ...[was peter’s]... through Christ, who loved ... [him]...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

“...God is ...a very present help in trouble...” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). Thus, “... PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

“...Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

Suddenly, right in the MIDST of Peter’s STORM, God sent a ministering angel. Peter was in a DARK place, a dungeon, which commonly did not have ANY type of LIGHT. The LIGHT, itself, represented the GLORY of God or his presence, goodness, and POWER. “…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

God’s showed himself as Peter’s REFUGE and STRENGTH. “...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “...O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, ...my strength, in whom I will trust ... so shall I be saved from mine enemies (my adversity)…” (Psalms 18:1-3 KJV).

“...He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“...Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“...Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“...There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“...Because he (Peter) hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him ...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“…[GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WAS peter’s]... rock and ...[peter’s]... fortress, ...[peter’s]... deliverer ...[Peter’s]....GOD... in whom [he could] … take refuge.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “... PETER WAS SLEEPING... (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

The MINISTERING angel appeared as a willing vessel for God’s glory by allowing God’s POWER to work “IN” and “THROUGH” HIM in order to WORK a great DELIVERANCE.^“…God …works in you TO WILL (to “want” to do his works) and TO ACT (to “actually” do the works) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…Now may … God  … work [within you].... what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…The [indwelling] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of deliverance) IN and THROUGH [his people or his willing vessels]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to deliver) THROUGH each of us  (through each willing vessel)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

The ministering angel WOKE Peter up that he may see the GLORY of God (his presence, his goodness, and his power) with his OWN eyes. Jesus said: “… I am the light of the world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV). "…I (Jesus came) as Light into the world...” (John 12:46 NASB).  "…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 NASB). “...[peter]... saw His glory...” (John 1:14 NASB).  “…This...[made]... it clear that ...[the]... great power ...[to deliver]...is from God, not from [man]…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).

Peter WOKE up, out of his sleep, and followed the instructions of God’s ministering angel. In the MIDST of his obedience, Peter’s CHAINS fell or dropped off his hands.

“...Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me”...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

The ministering angel told Peter to get dressed. Peter needed to be properly CLOTHED for his deliverance. Peter ENTRUSTED himself to God, the Holy Spirit, whom he recognized through the ministering angel. “…Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe (trust in, depend upon & cooperate with God, the Holy Spirit), you will SEE THE GLORY (PRESENCE, GOODNESS, & POWER) OF GOD?…”(John 10:40 NASB).

Peter trusted in, depended upon, and cooperated with God, the Holy Spirit, through the ministering angel, whom he knew was SENT to take CARE of him and DELIVER him SAFELY from the DARK PLACE of the dungeon or prison. “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

“...Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

INSIDE Peter’s STORM was a DARK dungeon or prison where he had been CHAINED to two soldiers and GUARDED by several SQUADS of soldiers. When the ministering angel appeared, gave him instructions, and told him to follow him, Peter didn’t know whether it was REAL or a DREAM. “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

God’s MIRACULOUS deliverance was so AMAZING and SURREAL, Peter questioned reality by reducing his experience to a mere vision, dream, or trance. “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…all GLORY to God, who is able, through his mighty power … to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think …” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT).

“...They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

The ministering angel LED Peter through the squads of guards and the iron gates. NOT one guard said anything, they didn’t do anything, and they didn’t stop them. It is not known whether they were sleep, or blinded, or what when Peter walked passed them untouched and unhindered.“…The steps of a good man (woman) are ordered (directed) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).

 “ … In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “… I will guide thee with mine eye…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “… Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel…” (Psalms 73:74 KJV). “… Teach me the way in which I should walk …” (Psalms 143:8 NASB).  “…come and follow me…” (Matthew 19:21 KJV). “… Jesus saith unto him, I am the way …” (John 15:5- 6 KJV).

Peter was LED “through” the iron gates, which divinely OPENED for him on their own accord. Peter was suddenly FREE walking down the street and through the city of Jerusalem. When he was out of danger and a SAFE distance from the DARK dungeon, the ministering angel departed. “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalms 34:6 KJV). God alone “…. delivered [you] ... out of all [your] ... trouble…” (Psalms 54:7 KJV). “….all things work together for good to them that love God…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV)

“...Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

Peter had been DELIVERED from INSIDE his STORM and HE came to REALIZE his FREEDOM was REAL! “…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Peter KNEW with certainty that the GLORY of God had been witnessed and had come through the ministering angel. Peter had experienced, first hand, the presence, goodness, and power of God through the ministering angel. “…The LORD has done great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things…” (Joel 2:21 NASB).

It was truly MARVELLOUS in Peter’s eyes what God had DONE for him, personally. God, the Holy Spirit, himself, through the ministering angel, had DELIVERED Peter out of Herod’s clutches. “…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB). “…TRUST in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).

“... The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil...” (1 John 3:8 NLT). Therefore, “...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “...overwhelming victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

The Jew, who were in Jerusalem, at the time celebrating the Passover, expected to have Peter persecuted and put to death by the sword. The Jews and King Herod would be disappointed.“...Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and [continue to]…do good, so shalt thou dwell in the lands, and verily thou shall be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy ways unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth they righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, FRET NOT thyself because of him [or her]…who prospereth in his[or her]… way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; FRET NOT thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be CUT OFF; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…" (Psalm 37:1-11 KJV).

“...Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.  Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

“...overwhelming victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).