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Hope in the Dark from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

How can you have hope while living in a dark time? When you feel like what you are facing is so powerful, all you can do is pray. Many before us did, and we can learn from their examples. 

First, if you read the New Testament, you'll encounter multiple rulers named 'Herod.' Though they belong to the same family line, it's important to note that each mention usually refers to a different individual. This can be confusing, so let's break it down a bit. The Herodians were a politically influential family known for their violent tendencies and were Jews by birth.

When Jesus was born, the reigning 'King of the Jews' was Herod the Great. Though he held this title, it's worth noting that he was actually appointed by the Roman occupiers and ruled according to their preferences. In a different time, as a different man, and without the Roman occupation, he might have been likened to King David or Hezekiah.

Herod the Great was a ruthless ruler. He ordered the execution of his first wife and had some of his sons strangled. Rivals didn't survive long around him. He's infamously known for ordering the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem around the time of Jesus's birth, as mentioned in Matthew 2:16. Herod the Great died in Jericho around 4 B.C., after a reign of about 34 years.

Upon his death, his territory was divided among three of his surviving sons: Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Philip the Tetrarch. Jesus called Herod Antipas "that fox," and he is perhaps best known for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, then beheading John the Baptist, and also for his role in the trial of Jesus. He mocked Jesus as a wanna-be King of the Jews, dressed Him in a royal robe, and sent Him back to Pilate, who added a crown of thorns.

Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, persecuted the early Christian Church as described in Acts 12. He was responsible for beheading the Apostle James. His son, Herod Agrippa II, appears in Acts 26, where he listens to the Apostle Paul's testimony. 

So that is an overview of this mysterious figure named Herod who appears in so many places in the Bible with the intent of killing someone. Now we can understand Acts 12 better, and so our story begins:

(Acts 12:1–3 NKJV)  Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 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.

The Apostle James was one of Jesus' most trusted friends. Along with Peter and John, James was often chosen by Jesus for special moments, like witnessing the Transfiguration and being present when Jesus brought Jairus' daughter back to life. James was one of the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).

Herod Agrippa I arrested this same James and ordered his execution by beheading. James was the first of the twelve Apostles of Jesus to be martyred. There had been other martyrs before, like Stephen, but this public execution of one of the twelve shattered the illusion that they were under divine protection. Jesus had warned them, "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mark 10:16).

It must have been shocking for his brother, John, for they were always together, and for the church as a whole. One of the church leaders had been executed. After seeing that killing James was popular with his supporters, Herod sought to improve his ratings even more and arrested the Apostle Peter, intending to execute him as well after the Passover when the crowds were gone. 

(Acts 12:4 NKJV)  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.

Now Herod knew that Peter and John had mysteriously escaped from prison before (Acts 5:17), so he took extraordinary measures to ensure that didn't happen again. He assigned four squads of four soldiers to Peter. So, sixteen soldiers were guarding Peter, probably four at a time, in three-hour shifts. 

(Acts 12:5–6 NKJV)  Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 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.

Peter was sleeping chained to two soldiers while two others guarded the door. It was usually enough for a prisoner to be handcuffed to one guard, if that, but Herod was taking no chances. 

It didn't look good for Peter. After Passover, there would be a mock trial, and he would be executed just like James, just like Jesus. The church seemed overwhelmed and helpless. What could be done against such powerful forces? Nothing but constant prayer. 

The word translated as "constant" means diligent, earnest, fervent, stretching, and straining in prayer and praying with agony. Herod was the king. Who could help Peter but God? Meanwhile, Peter was sleeping soundly in prison, chained securely to two guards. Everyone in Jerusalem thought Peter was through. It was dark, and it looked hopeless. 

We so easily look at the troubles around us and forget that God has legions of Angels who are moved when we pray. We meet Angels occasionally without even knowing it. 

(Hebrews 13:2 NKJV)  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

We tend to put the accounts of the Bible in a distant time: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." No! God is unchanging. What He did then, He can do today. Now I don't know if He will axe you like James or deliver you like Peter, but I know that sometimes we do not have because we didn't bother to ask! (James 4:2). Meanwhile, back in prison:

(Acts 12:7 NKJV)  Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.

An Angel appeared, and a light shone into the dark prison cell. Perhaps it was the glow from the Angel that illuminated the room. Then He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, and the chains on his arms fell off. 

(Acts 12:8 NKJV)  Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me."

Peter was sleepy and groggy. Jarred awake, now a glowing man was snapping orders at him, "Arise Quickly! Gird yourself. Put on your sandals! Pull on your cloak! Follow Me!" I would have been like, "What? Where am I? And who are you?" 

(Acts 12:9 NKJV)  So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

I would have thought that was a vision as well! Peter stumbled along behind the Angel, not fully understanding what was happening. 

(Acts 12:10 NKJV)  When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

Peter was now free, and the only thing that had been lifted was prayer. He was standing on the streets of Jerusalem, rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn. The downtrodden church with no hope who could only pray had more power than the fearsome Herod and his soldiers. 

When all you can do is pray, you will find it is enough. When God is the only One you can turn to, He is enough. When you are bound by something that grips you like chains, you can still go free. When you see the iron gate locked in front of you, it will open on its own. You can still find hope in the dark.

You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and help me align with You. Help me see my situation through Your eyes. I am Yours, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!