Liberation

" It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him."
Acts of the Apostles 12:1-10

This morning the Lord chose to drop this account of Peter's liberation into my spirit, there are a few things that jump out at me.
Peter was imprisoned because of what he was doing. It was Kingdom work, but nonetheless, his activities were the reason for his being shackled.
This police action and the miracles to happen took place during Passover, when God's people were suddenly and miraculously released from slavery by the Lord's mighty power, grace, and mercy.
Peter was surrounded by guards- there were either 16 or 18, either way there were many, and the chance of a jail break or rescue by human means were beyond human possibility.
Peter's rescue was the result of much prayer, especially in the face of impossible odds, and it was at nearly the last moment. I have found that the Lord often waits till 11:59, to stretch my faith, and when it's stretched, to stretch it even more!
Peter was obedient to the Angel of the Lord...he heard the instructions, and he responded, never questioning.

There are many situations where we are imprisoned, and we ourselves are the jailers. Shackled by a wide variety of evils: drug addiction, alcoholism, pornography, adultery, serial lying, false witness, selfishness...and perhaps the biggest: unbelief. We may consider ourselves beyond liberation and rescue ... our shame, and the guilt of bearing and hiding these dark secrets, and the lies of the accuser satan being whispered to the imprisoned can be overwhelming.
But beloved, this is where our Abba Father/Bridegroom/Deliverer/Redeemer operates best!
He is mighty...to do what...? That's right...say it! TO SAVE! Suddenly, at the last minute, when there seems to be no possible way out, when we call on Him, trusting Him, God is more than able, ready, and willing, to save.
Today beloved, get up, shake off those shackles, fix your eyes on Him, walk in freedom and deliverance.
He is more than faithful.