SLEEP LIKE A BABY

“On the night before Herod was to bring him out ⌊for execution⌋, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.” (Acts 12:6 HCSB)

Had Peter been one of the seven dwarves instead of one of the twelve disciples, he would have been the one named, “Sleepy.”  He is the patron saint of narcoleptics!

There are several times we find him asleep when he should have been awake.  He was sleeping on the Mount of Transfiguration and nearly snoozed through the discussion Jesus had with Moses and Elijah about His impending crucifixion, and the dramatic transformation of Jesus, where he, along with James and John, got a glimpse of Christ’s glory (see Luke 9:32).  Worse than that, s few days later, Jesus was praying in agony the night before his death and asked Peter, James and John to pray with Him.  What did Peter do?  He went to sleep!  (Read Matt.26:36-46).

Yet again, we find Peter sleeping in the twelfth chapter of Acts.  This time, it was a good thing—and I will tell you why.

Don’t miss the context.  Herod had seized and slaughtered the first of the Apostles to be martyred, James.  The cruel king imprisoned Peter and put him on death row with the same murderous intent for the old fisherman.  So, what does Peter do in the face of such a crisis?

He goes to sleep!

Peter found the cure to insomnia.  Have you?  When you pillow your head, do you sleep like a baby?  There are few images in life that communicate peace better than an infant in his or her crib, no worries, a trace of a smile on the little face.  That was the way Peter slept, and so may we.

You see, Peter rested in THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.  He knew God had a purpose for him and a plan for his life.  Nothing surprises an all-knowing God.  Nothing is too difficult for an all-powerful God.  We are not neglected by an all-loving God.  We are not abandoned by an ever-present God.  God’s will cannot be thwarted.  So, Peter knew he wasn’t there but by the providence of God and would not be killed unless it was his appointed hour.

When your circumstances seem beyond your control—and that was where Peter found himself—never forget that God is in control.  The Sovereign Lord may not always share with us why we are in such a pickle, but we may rest assured He knows where we are and has a plan.  No one can kill us until our work on earth is accomplished.  I recall Erwin Lutzer, pastor of Moody Memorial Church, stating that someone living in obedience to God is immortal until their work on earth is done.  He said, “Some of God’s servants may die young, but never early.”

What was the worst that could happen to Peter?  He could die—and then what?  He would go to heaven and be reunited with Jesus!  That’s what we want, isn’t it?

Peter rested in THE PEACE OF GOD.  One of the reasons we toss and turn is when we are in a state of anxiety.  Our fretful minds make for fitful sleep.  Yet, God gives a supernatural peace that will banish our worries.

Jesus promised, “‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’” (Matt.11:28-30)

This peace is a gift from God.  Perhaps as Peter snuggled down between those two guards, he remembered what Jesus said, “‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.’” (John 14:27)  The world doesn’t give us that peace, and the world can’t take it away!

Peter rested in THE PERCEPTION OF GOD.  Maybe he thought of this psalm:

I lift my eyes toward the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

your Protector will not slumber.

Indeed, the Protector of Israel

does not slumber or sleep.

The Lord protects you;

the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

The sun will not strike you by day

or the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all harm;

He will protect your life.

The Lord will protect your coming and going

both now and forever. (Psalm 121)

Yes, our God never sleeps!  His perception is perfect.  He even sees when a sparrow falls to the ground—and if His eye is on the sparrow, we know He watched us!  If He is concerned with this little creature, we know He is captivated with His child!

If God is going to stay up all night, then why should I?  He can handle it!

Peter further rested in THE POWER OF GOD.  People were praying for him.  He doubtless prayed himself.  He committed himself to the will of God, closed his eyes in prayer, knowing full well that God had the power to set him free, and drifted off to sleep.

I think of the words posed in the old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear, 

all because we do not carry 

everything to God in prayer.

You can spend your time in fruitless fear, or invest your energy in prayerful faith.  I know this is not our natural inclination.  We are predisposed to worry.  The peace of God, however, is supernatural—and is befitting a child of God.  Here’s how Paul put it, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:6-7)  Those words were written from prison also!

So, an angel comes in response to the prayer and has to shake the snoring saint to wake him up.  Peter rubs his eyes and can’t believe it.  He thinks at first he is just dreaming.  The angel virtually shoves him out the door.  Perhaps then in the cool evening air, he finally clears the cob webs and heads for the prayer meeting.  He instinctively knows where to find the people of God.  He knew they would be praying for him.

The church prayed, but did not seem to be expecting a miracle.  They prayed with faithfulness, but not a lot of faith.  It is quite comical, how when Rhoda comes to the door in response to Peter’s knocking, she leaves him locked out while she speeds breathlessly to share that the Apostle is free—their prayers are answered.  They don’t believe it!  How small our faith can be—but, how great is our God!

This is an instance of what Paul meant when he wrote, “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us…” (Eph.3:20).

Peter had an easier time getting out of the prison than getting into the prayer meeting!

I would write some more, but I feel a great urge to take a nap!