Acts 12   Herod took up where Saul had stopped.. persecuting the church.  Verse 2 "and he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword."  

James and John.. the sons of thunder.. had once wanted to call down fire from heaven when a village of Samaritans did not receive Jesus.  They were also 2 of the 3 that saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain top, speaking with Moses and Elijah.  James and John had asked Jesus if they could be seated next to Him when He ruled in His Kingdom.  They told Him that they could drink of the cup that He would drink.. and they did.  James was the first of the disciples to be martyred for the name of Jesus. John would be the last. 

After James was killed, Herod.. quite pleased with the response of the Jews.. had Peter arrested.  He intended to kill Peter also, but the Lord intervened. Peter was sleeping between 2 soldiers, guarded by 4 squads.. and apparently at peace with his fate.  The Lord had other plans. An angel woke Peter up and told him to put on his cloak and his shoes. He then led Peter out through the doors, past the soldiers, right through a gate that opened on its own accord. Only then did Peter realize that this was not a dream!

Peter went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. A prayer meeting was going on in that house and God answered their prayers for Peter.. but, they couldn't believe it when the servant girl told them Peter was at the door!   Peter told them to let the others know that he had been set free and then left for unknown parts. 

Herod was furious and ordered the innocent soldiers to their deaths.  He then left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea.  Anger filled Herod's life... and eventually brought him to an awful death.  When people began to flatter him and refer to him as a "god", Herod drank it all in. "And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died." ( v23) 

Father God, we do not know what a day will bring.. but we put our trust in You that Your plan is good and no matter what we face, You will be with us.. and Your name will be glorified.  We do not know why James was killed and Peter spared, but we know that You were leading their steps and holding them in Your Hands.. completing Your will in them both.  As it is with each of Your children.  Whatever You have for us today, we simply pray.. Your will be done! Let our lives be a testimony of Your grace and goodness no matter when or how we die.. whether we are released from these mortal bodies by death or if we are caught up with Jesus in the rapture..we pray, "To God be the Glory".  Amen.