Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. Acts 12:18-19
The same news can be perceived in entirely different ways. The news of Peter’s divine release from prison caused the people of God to rejoice and to tell the news of God’s kind providence to others (v.16-17).
The news of Peter’s “escape” from prison (which is how Herod and the Roman prison guards saw it), caused “no small stir among the soldiers.” No kidding! A prisoner was missing and it could cost them dearly. Herod’s reaction was to investigate what had happened, and then to execute the guards!
How do we interpret and respond to what happens to us and in our world? Let us not respond angrily, and especially not violently as Herod did. Rather, understanding that God is sovereign, let us respond in faith that God is in control. When we like what God is doing, let us respond joyfully at God’s kind providences. And when we do not understand, or even like what God is doing, remembering that God only always does everything rightly, let us respond by encouraging ourselves and others to remain faithful as He is faithful.