Iron Gate of Difficulty

And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.

 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself…

Acts 12:7, 10 NASB

King Herod had James, the brother of John, executed for proclaiming the Name of Jesus, and then seeing how popular that made him with the locals, he decided to arrest and execute Peter as well. Once seized, Peter was guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, Herod didn’t want to take any chances on this guy getting away! According to Scripture, “the very night” Herod was to have him executed, Peter lay in a guarded cell, between two soldiers, fastened with chains. All this behind an iron gate. I can’t imagine a more there’s-no-way-out-of-this scenario in my life. If the 16 soldiers weren’t enough, the chains and iron gate would have sealed the deal. “This is without hope.” And that’s right where the enemy wants us. Wants you. Without hope.

I want you to think about Peter’s real-life situation for a moment. How utterly impossible it seemed – and compare it to your own iron-gate circumstance. Do you have one? A relationship issue, a family problem, a job challenge or a financial melt-down? Depression. Heartache. Divorce. Death. Illness. Betrayal. Loneliness. An aching hopelessness. Let’s face it. Life can be tough. Impossible situations occur. But, O beloved, we are never without hope. Never. Trust Him.

Iron gates of difficulty. Impossible situations. Without hope circumstances. These can be God’s opportunity to show Himself strong on our behalf. Our Father God will open the iron gate and either free you from the circumstance or provide all you need in the midst of the circumstance. I don’t know what you’re facing at this very moment, this very night… But rest assured, beloved, God sees. He is aware. He has no favorites. Cry out to Him. He is the Lord, the God of all flesh, is there anything too difficult for Him?

We do not fully grasp the nearness of our God.

Becky White

Father, When I look at the “iron gate” in front of me, I gasp at the impossible-ness of it all. But this I know, You love me, and You are more than able to open this gate of difficulty on my behalf. I trust You, Lord Jesus to accomplish Your good pleasure in my life. Bring glory to Your name through my iron gate circumstance. I love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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