Acts 12:11

Acts 12:11 says, And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. Peter soon realized that God really had sent an angel to deliver him from Herod and the expectation of the Jews that he was to be killed.  The first step we should take if God works a miracle in our life is to realize that it is real.  We don’t need to look for logical explanations as to what happened, but only need to accept God’s miracles by faith.  Verse twelve adds, And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.  Peter, when he realized that he was really free, decided to go to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark.  Having just been miraculously freed from prison, we might run as far and as fast as we could.  Peter went to a house filled with believers.  He wasn't running in fear but looking for fellowship.  The believers were gathered to pray for Peter, and he knocked on their door.  Verse thirteen continues, And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.  Verse fourteen states, And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  When a damsel named Rhoda went to the door and recognized Peter's voice, she didn't open the gate in gladness, but ran and told the others Peter was standing before the gate.  I wonder how many times we leave the answer to prayers outside the gate, simply because we do not truly believe God is going to answer our prayers. Verse fifteen adds, And they said unto her, Thou art mad.  But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.  Then said they, It is his angel.  I am sure we've all heard the story of the people gathering at the church to pray for rain, but only one little girl brought an umbrella.  This could apply to those who were believers who gathered to pray for Peter.  As they gathered to pray for Peter's release, they told Rhoda she was mad, but she continued to affirm he was there.  When God reveals the truth to us, no matter how many people tell us we are wrong, even if they are believers, we must affirm the truth.  If it is something that God has revealed to us, it will always be consistent with what His word has always taught.  An answer to prayer is one of those things God has always taught, but they thought she was mad, or had seen his angel.  Verse sixteen continues, But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.  Peter continued to knock, and they finally let him in, astonished.  How long would we leave Peter standing outside knocking?  Verse seventeen concludes, But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.  He told them to hold their peace and shared with them how God had delivered him.  After he instructed them to tell James and the brethren what had happened, he departed for another place. How often do we pray not believing?  If we gather to pray for rain, shouldn't we have an umbrella with us?  Those gathered praying for Peter were not ready for their prayers to be answered. When we pray today, are we ready for an immediate answer to our prayers.  If not, we may not be ready to open the door or the umbrella.