This past week, we read through Acts 12 and came across this:

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. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (Acts 12:1–5)

As I read, I noticed one of my kids yawn.  Another’s eyes were fixated on the wall with something else on their mind.  I get it. John, Paul, Peter, and the rest of the apostles are in and out of prison so many times in the New Testament that it almost seems more like a Super 8 hotel stop for them.  They go in and you wonder which way they’re coming out by morning…release from the religious leaders, an earthquake, or an angel.

But don’t let Peter’s peace of mind to actually “sleep” between the soldiers who are guarding him fool you.  As our friend Justin reminded us, Peter was most likely awaiting death as evidenced by the death of the guards.  He shared with us that is was common practice under Roman law for a guard who allowed a prisoner to escape to receive that prisoner’s sentence.

It can be easy to “nod off” while reading God’s Word and not feel the gravity of a situation and be amazed at the peace God gives to His children in storms or the strength to persevere in situations of tremendous adversity.  We can forget that a prison is NOT a hotel.