When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. Acts 12:10
A family travelling to their farm after a day shopping in town was caught in a snowstorm in which their car broke down. Their predicament was dire because it was extremely cold as well as snowing heavily. To continue on on foot would be nearly impossible, and to remain in the car was to risk almost certain freezing. As they huddled together in the cold car on the side of the road, wondering what to do, they heard a vehicle approach. To their great relief, a truck pulled up beside them. Two men who lived not far from their farm offered to drive them home. The parents and their four children climbed onto and into the truck, which slowly made its way to their house. When they arrived and had climbed out of the truck, the family found a huge snowdrift had piled up in front of the door. The father turned to the two men in the truck and asked if they could shovel through the snowdrift. The men in the truck laughed, pointed to a pair of shovels leaning against a shed, and drove on. They had done their part, the most important part, and the family could take it from there. Just like the angel did for Peter in our text.
The angel had indeed performed a miracle. The incredible security that Herod had cast about his prisoner Peter had been overcome, and Peter was free. The angel was no longer needed. Peter could take it from there. We need miracles sometimes too, because there are situations that only God can resolve. For example, in a series of Gospel meetings, only God can save souls. Unless the Holy Spirit brings sinners to repentance, the meetings are fruitless. But that does not mean we sit back and allow God to do everything. The preachers must preach as though the results depended on them. The Christians must engage in prevailing prayer that lays hold on Heaven’s mercies. They must also engage in support work such as invitations and witnessing, and providing the preachers with all that they need. No miracle of salvation will occur without our part.
Sometimes we are unaware of the hand of God with us, performing miracles that ensure our daily preservation and supply. But God does perform those daily miracles, which is why we need to be daily thankful. But we must also be daily working in God’s service if those miracles are to do us good. Despite his deliverance from the prison, Peter would remain in danger of recapture if he remained where he was.
As God performs His miracles around us, let us not rest on those miracles but do our part. -Jim MacIntosh