Resting in God 在主里享安息

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Dexu Xia

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Dec 21, 2025, 12:43:18 AM12/21/25

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The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Acts 12:6

Today's Scripture. Acts 12:5-11

Today's Insights Peter “was sleeping” the “night before Herod was to bring him to trial” (Acts 12:6). He’d already been unjustly imprisoned by King Herod for eight days and would’ve been sentenced the following day. And, like James, his fellow apostle, he too would’ve been executed (vv. 2-3). But “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (v. 5; see vv. 11-12). During his imprisonment, Peter experienced the peace that only Jesus could give (see John 14:27).

In the Old Testament, David also had confident trust in God and experienced His peace: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8; see 3:5). No matter what we’re facing today, we can turn our situation over to God, knowing that we can trust Him and experience the peace He alone provides (Philippians 4:6-7)

Today's Devotional My neighbor Sam returned home one night without his car. “It was stolen,” he told his wife, then added, “I’m going to sleep. I’ll sort it out tomorrow.” His wife was flabbergasted. She couldn’t understand how Sam could be so calm, but he explained, “What else can I do? Panicking won’t make any difference.”

My ever-sensible neighbor could see there was no point worrying. He trusted that the authorities would be able to find his missing car later—which they did.

Did the apostle Peter feel likewise after being thrown into prison (Acts 12:4)? He was likely to face execution, yet the usually impulsive disciple “was sleeping between two soldiers” (v. 6). The angel had to “[strike] Peter on the side” to wake him up (v. 7)—suggesting that he was completely calm and at peace. Was it because he knew his life was in God’s hands? Verses 9 and 11 suggest that it wouldn’t have mattered whether he was rescued or not; perhaps he recalled the assurance of salvation and glory that Jesus had given him (Matthew 19:28), as well as Christ’s call to simply “follow me” and not worry about what would happen to him (John 21:22).

No matter what we’re facing today, we can trust that God holds our future—both on earth and in heaven—in His mighty hands. Perhaps then we can sleep in peace more easily.

Reflect & Pray

What worries keep you awake at night? How can you learn to surrender them to God and hold on to His promises?

Dear God, I know that my life and future are in Your loving and mighty hands. Please help me to keep trusting You.

By Leslie Koh

“希律王将要提审彼得的前一夜，彼得被两条铁链锁着，睡在两个士兵当中。”（使徒行传 12章6节）

今日经文：使徒行传 12章5-11 节

今日洞见：彼得“在希律王要审判他的前一夜”“睡着了”（使徒行传 12:6）。他已经被希律王不公地囚禁了八天，第二天就要被判刑。而且，像他的同伴使徒雅各一样，他也可能被处死（第2-3节）。但是“教会却为他切切地祷告神”（第5节；参见第11-12节）。在被囚禁期间，彼得经历到只有耶稣才能赐予的平安（参见约翰福音 14:27）。

在旧约中，大卫也对神充满信心，并经历了祂的平安：“我必安然躺下睡觉，因为独有你耶和华使我安然居住”（诗篇 4:8；参见 3:5）。无论我们今天面临什么，我们都可以把我们的处境交托给神，因为我们知道我们可以信靠祂，并经历祂所赐的平安（腓立比书 4:6-7）。

今日灵修：我的邻居萨姆一天晚上回家时没有开车。他告诉妻子：“车被偷了。”然后又补充说：“我要睡觉了。明天再处理。”他的妻子惊呆了。她不明白萨姆怎么能表现得如此平静，但他解释说：“我还能怎么办？惊慌失措也无济于事。” 我这位一向理智的邻居明白，担心是没有用的。他相信当局最终会找到他丢失的汽车。事实也确实如此。

使徒彼得被投入监狱后（使徒行传 12:4）是否也有同样的感觉？他很可能面临处决，但这位通常冲动的门徒却“睡在两个士兵中间”（第6节）。天使不得不“拍彼得的肋旁”把他叫醒（第7节），这表明他平静安详地在睡觉。这是因为他知道自己的生命掌握在神的手中吗？第9节和第11节表明，他是否获救其实并不重要；或许他想起了耶稣曾向他保证的救恩和荣耀（马太福音19:28），以及基督呼召他“跟随我”，不要担心自己会遭遇什么（约翰福音21:22）。无论我们今天面临什么，我们都可以相信，上帝用祂全能的双手掌管着我们的未来，无论是在地上还是在天上。正是这样的信心，使我们能更容易安然入睡。

反思与祷告有哪些担忧让你夜不能寐？你如何才能学会把这些担忧交托给上帝，并紧紧抓住祂的应许？

亲爱的上帝，我知道我的生命和未来都在您慈爱而全能的双手之中。求您帮助我继续信靠您。