That night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door kept the prison." (Acts 12:6). Psa. 62:8; Psa. 125:1; Acts 12:12.
SLEEPING in the calm of heaven
Who or what shall help him now?
Hopeless, everything external-
Death the stamp upon his brow.
Ere, in peace, he closed his eyelids,
Casting all his care on God (1 Peter 5:5-11)
Little knowing of the angel
Hasting on the shining road.
Weakness, in the night is waiting,
Like those Abel-men of yore,
When the messengers from glory
Told of Bethlehem's hidden store.
(Acts 12:7; Luke 2:9.)
See! the hand of One from glory
Wakes him from his blessed, sleep:
'Tis the Lord, who once said, " Follow "—
"Feed my lambs," and—" Feed my sheep."
Ah! those very days must tell him
Of the love that could not die:
Anniversary of sorrow,
Yet of full, unclouded joy.
(Mark 14:1,72; Acts 12:3.)
Herod, 'mid the outward boasting,
Fills his cup with dreadful wine,
While the foot of Zion's captive
Passes on in rest divine.
(Acts 12:9-11.)
Richest aid, resource and blessing,
Helplessness and trust shall find,
When the visible is crushing,
All its might and will combined.
" Trust ye in the Lord forever,"-
" Wait," I say, " on Him alone:
He who showed the " fire " to Peter,
Sends deliverance from the throne.