Impossible?

What an impossible situation for Peter in Acts 12! Why would God allow this circumstance? I don’t know if we will understand the full reason this side of heaven. But what I do know is that God answered prayer. Verse 5 tells us the church prayed for him. And later on in this passage we see God miraculously answer that prayer. It was impossible for Peter to be free. The Romans often bound a prisoner to a soldier as an assurance that it was impossible for them to escape. For greater security the prisoner was sometimes chained to two soldiers, one on each side. This was the case here with Peter. The circumstances could not have been worse. James had just been killed, Peter had been arrested, and he seemingly would be killed soon. It was impossible, but the church prayed. Then, God did what only He could do. He took off Peter’s chains, opened the prison cell, and unlocked the city gate. Peter was free from his impossible circumstance.

This passage is such an encouragement to me when I feel like the circumstances of my life are consuming me. Those circumstances are, in actuality, a great opportunity for God to show me His care, grace, and provision for my life. What in your life seems impossible right now? When we are faced with painful and difficult circumstances, prayer should be our first action. God answered prayer and changed an impossible situation. He set Peter free. He wants to set you free also. Run to God with your feelings and the things that are chaining you down. He wants to know your feelings and talk with you about your struggles. He longs to show us the freedom that He can bring.

How has God answered your prayers this week? This month? Write down your prayer requests, and then go back and look in weeks to come at how God answers them. Thank Him for those answers.