Give God the Glory

Acts 12:1-2

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

Herod's plan was to bring Peter out of prison and present him to the people during the feast, but the church was praying earnestly. On the very night before this all was to come to pass, their prayers were answered. Peter was sleeping bound with chains between two soldiers when an angel of the Lord woke Peter and told him to get up quickly. As his chains fell off, he dressed himself, put on his sandals, and walked away. For a time, Peter thought he was dreaming. Could this be real? As he walked out of the prison, he walked past guards with gates opening of their own accord. Peter was rescued from Herod! What a miracle!

He immediately went to the house of Mary where believers were praying. When he knocked at the door, Rhoda answered. Recognizing Peter, she went in and told the others that Peter was at the door. Immediate reactions went from, 'You are out of your mind' to 'It is his angel.' But Peter persisted in knocking, and eventually they saw him. Even though they were praying for this to happen, they were amazed! What a miracle especially after the death of James! The praises to God must have reverberated from the walls of that house! Hands raised, shouting, hugging, and even more praying! What a message to share with the rest of the church! How it would grow and flourish!

Herod was perplexed by Peter's disappearance. But apparently not that much since he left town and went to Caesarea. Speaking to a group of people who had angered him, he was attired in royal robes  seated on a throne. The listening throng cried out, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" Immediately the angel of the Lord struck him down. Why? He did not give the glory to God. His outcome was vastly different from Peter's. Instead of rescue, he was eaten by worms and breathed his last breath. Both men saw the angel of the Lord, one to his blessing and rescue and the other to his humiliation and death. God must have the glory!

Father,
Build my faith as I pray. Take away all fear and doubt. Open my eyes to Your plan and purpose.
In Jesus name,
Amen