Devotion: Peter Sleeps

A couple of weeks ago, we at Communion Presbyterian, had a guest preacher fill our pulpit. Rev. Abendroth preached on Luke 8:22-25 (Jesus calming the storm). In the story, Peter is one of the disciples who wakes Jesus, fearful for his life. Jesus' response was "Where is your faith?"

In our midweek Bible study, we've been going through the Book of Acts. There is another interesting account involving Peter and sleeping, only this time he is the one sleeping during what can only be described as perilous times:

¹ Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. ² Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ³ And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. ⁵ Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

(Acts 12:1-6)

James had been martyred, and Peter had been arrested and was awaiting his own execution in the morning, and yet Peter slept that night. Why? In part because Peter had learned his lesson on the Sea of Galilee those years prior. Peter's faith was in the Lord to do with him as He would please. Peter knew that He who controlled the wind and the waves also held the heart of the king in His hand. Peter had nothing to fear, even with his own execution coming in the morning. Peter slept.

Will you learn from the example of Jesus and Peter? Will you trust in the Lord during times of trial? Will your soul be so at rest that you sleep the night before your life will be demanded of you?

Where is your faith?