Imagine this: You’re in prison, not for doing something wrong, but for boldly standing up for your faith. You’re shackled, chained between two guards, and you know that in just a few hours, your fate is sealed, execution awaits. Most people would be terrified, pacing the floor, crying out in desperation, begging God for deliverance. But not Peter. Peter was sound asleep.
Not just lightly dozing off, but sleeping so well that when an angel came to rescue him, the angel had to strike him, give him a good old-fashioned shake, to wake him up! (Acts 12:7) Now, what kind of peace must Peter have had to sleep so deeply in such a dire situation? The kind of peace that only Jesus gives. The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding.
The Source of Peter’s Peace
Peter wasn’t sleeping because he was in denial. He wasn’t ignorant of the fact that James, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, had just been executed (Acts 12:2). He knew that Herod was on a mission to wipe out the leaders of the early church. Yet, even with the weight of this reality pressing on him, Peter had a peace that let him rest.
That peace didn’t come from the absence of trouble; it came from the presence of Jesus. Peter had walked with Jesus. He had seen Him calm storms, heal the sick, raise the dead, and most importantly, rise from the dead Himself. Peter knew that no matter what happened, he belonged to Christ, and nothing, not even death, could separate him from the love of God.
Jesus, the Giver of Unshakable Peace
Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The world’s peace is fragile. It depends on circumstances. When things are going well, you feel peaceful. But the moment trouble comes, that peace shatters. Jesus offers something entirely different, an unshakable, immovable peace that remains firm even in the face of trials.
Peter had that peace because he had Jesus. And that same peace is available to you today.
Resting in Christ in the Midst of Your Chains
We may not be chained between two guards like Peter, but life often puts us in situations where we feel trapped. Anxiety, fear, financial burdens, illness, betrayal, uncertainty, these are the chains that try to keep us up at night. But if Peter could sleep in the face of death, then surely, in Christ, we can rest in the midst of our struggles too.
That doesn’t mean the problems will always go away instantly. But it does mean that we don’t have to carry the weight of them. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us:
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
If Peter, the same man who once panicked and denied Jesus three times, could find this level of peace in Christ, then so can you. His peace is not reserved for the “super spiritual.” It’s for anyone who trusts in Him.
How to Walk in the Peace of Jesus
- Remember Who God Is – Just like Peter, we need to remind ourselves of who God is and what He has already done. If He has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.
- Trust in His Sovereignty – Peter understood that whether he lived or died, he belonged to Christ. He rested in the truth that nothing could happen to him outside of God’s control.
- Stay in Prayer and Surrender – Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to bring everything to God in prayer, and His peace will guard our hearts and minds. That’s the key—taking everything to Him and leaving it there.
- Receive His Presence – Peace isn’t just a feeling; it’s a person. Jesus is our peace. The more we dwell in His presence through worship, prayer, and His Word, the more we’ll experience His unshakable peace.
Wake Up to Your Deliverance
The same angel that had to shake Peter awake was also the one who led him to freedom. Sometimes, we’re so deep in worry, fear, or just plain exhaustion from life’s battles that we don’t even realize our deliverance is already at the door. Just like Peter, we need to wake up to the fact that God is moving, even when we can’t see it yet.
Whatever you’re facing today, let the peace of Jesus carry you. Rest in Him. Trust in Him. And when the time comes, wake up and walk in the freedom He has already secured for you.
Because the same Jesus who gave Peter peace in chains is the same Jesus who gives you peace today.
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