Matthew 3:13-17
Herod kept Peter in prison, guarded by sixteen soldiers. He had learned that Peter had a habit of escaping when jailed, so he was determined that he wouldn’t get out again. The night before the trial started, Peter, bound by two chains, slept between two soldiers. But, just as it looks like all is lost, look what happened in verse five. “The church was earnestly praying to God for him,” and an angel appears and hits Peter to wake him, and they walk out.
The church was praying for Peter, but what was Peter doing? Even though he was bound in chains and lying between two soldiers, Peter was asleep! And he was sleeping so soundly, the angel had to hit him to wake him! Peter had the peace that passes understanding. This is what Paul was talking about in Philippians 4:6. Peter, facing death, wasn’t anxious about it.
We see this over and over again in scripture. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had it in the furnace, Daniel had it in the lion’s den, Job had it when Satan was persecuting him, and we can have it too.
I don’t know about you, but I want that kind of peace. However, I have to admit, I don’t have it yet.