“Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen’ ” (Acts 12:11).
Peter’s execution seemed inevitable. He was in prison and scheduled for execution the next day. As always, God had the last word. He sent an angel to release Peter from his chains and caused an earthquake to open the gate to the prison. Peter went free because God was, and always will be, a Rescuer.
Peter had many miles still to cover in his ministry. He had two letters to write that we would have missed if he had died then. God’s plan for Peter’s life wasn’t yet complete. God is able to protect each of us until we have fulfilled His purpose for our lives.
Later, Peter was executed. At some point, each believer will move from this life to heaven and the eternal presence of God. Our assurance is that God will rescue us from every effort to end our lives before the right time. Not only that, but when our time comes, He will deliver us from the restraints of our earthly existence and bring us home to His heavenly dwelling.
Until then we can rest in His care, confident in His divine protection. He still is able to open prison doors. He still is able to protect us until we finish everything He has called us to do. His plan is that all of us will be able to say what Paul the apostle said before his death. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
