Acts 12:18

Acts 12:18 says, Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.  The next morning there was much discussion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter.  He was their responsibility, and he was gone, but they didn't understand how.  People often fail to understand when a miracle happens today. Verse nineteen adds, And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.  When Herod sought Peter in the prison and he couldn’t be found, he had the guards put to death, although they could have done nothing to keep Peter in.  We could question why they should die since God was the One Who set Peter free, but we need to understand that God was not responsible for their death. I say that because I believe in the free will of people.  Those who believe every action is dictated by God will have more difficulty accepting what happened.  His plans foiled, Herod left Judea for Caesarea, where he abode.  Verse twenty continues, And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.  While the followers of Christ were rejoicing, Herod was angry. When the plans of those who plot against God fail, and they ultimately all do, then they get angry.  Herod was angry with those at Tyre and Sidon.  The people there had to have known that if Herod was angry, it would not be good for them.  They had made friends with Blastus, his chamberlain, and came to him with one accord desiring peace.  Sometimes, the world can unite with someone who stands against God, but they will never find peace.  Verse twenty-one states, And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  On a specified day, Herod was dressed in his royal robes, sitting on his throne and made a speech to the people.  He wanted to look important, even if he couldn’t keep Peter in prison.  There are still people who want to look important in the world today even if they are helpless against God.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  The people, wanting to please Herod, began to say he was a god and not just a man.  Verse twenty-three continues, And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.  When people begin to treat a man as if he is a god, then the One true God is going to notice.  In Herod's case, he died immediately and was eaten by worms.  There have been many to come since and are even a few today who proclaim themselves to be a god, and they haven't immediately fallen dead, but one day they will. Evil will sometimes appear to triumph, but God has proclaimed the final victory.  Verse twenty-four proclaims, But the word of God grew and multiplied.   Herod’s plans fell through, and he died, but the word of God, the gospel, grew and multiplied.  God’s word will always triumph over any power in this world.  All we have to do is live by faith in it.  Verse twenty-five adds, And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.  Barnabas and Paul, along with John Mark returned from Jerusalem at this time, having fulfilled their ministry there.  We must go where God sends us, and if we have fulfilled our ministry there, we must go where God sends us next.  Peter was in prison for a little while, but the other disciples were still actively doing God’s work.  We cannot let the imprisonment of some Christians stop us from doing what God has called us to do.