When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. (Acts 5:21b-24)
We all have something that imprisons us; my something is food addiction. During our study of Luke, I placed that addiction at the cross and asked God to free me from it. It has been a process. He’s freed me from my chocolate addiction. I can eat a half of a piece of chocolate instead of eating the whole bag. When I don’t pray, I eat more.
Even though Scripture doesn’t tell us, I’m sure the apostles and the early church prayed for the apostles’ safety and freedom. When we call on the Lord, He will set us free. We have to do our part by praying and doing what we can to help ourselves. But whatever we can’t do on our own, God will do supernaturally. He sent an angel to open the jail door, but He must’ve also frozen time or put the guards in a deep sleep because they hadn’t realized their prisoners were gone.
I see the miracles in the sunrise, a newborn baby, the perfection of the systems of the universe, and the overcoming of my addiction, and it makes my faith grow. Others, like the chief priest, Doubting Thomas, and Apostle Paul, need to see miracles of healing and angels opening doors to believe and grow in faith.
Father God, I praise you for the perfection of the universe. Point out Your miracles to me. I know getting rid of my addiction would be a miracle because no matter how hard I try, I can’t do it on my own. Help me Lord. I know you will do whatever it takes, even sending an angel to open the doors to freedom. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.