Peter, with the help of an angel, escaped from his prison cell. When it was discovered the next morning that Peter was no longer in his cell, a commotion started. Where was Peter? Herod called out the guard and had a thorough search made of the city, but Peter was not found. Someone had to be held accountable. So, Herod summoned the guards to himself, cross-examined them, and then had them executed. King Herod was both cruel and blind. He imprisoned innocent servants of God and killed innocent guards. Soon, God would hold Herod accountable for his sin.

This came about when King Herod made a visit to Caesarea. He went there to make a peace treaty with the people of Tyre and Sidon, with whom he had been quarreling. But because they were dependent on Herod for food imports, they asked King Herod to come and make peace. On the day the treaty was to be signed, Herod gave an oration. Cruel though he was, he must have been an excellent speaker, for when the people heard him speak, they said he had the voice of a god. When Herod didn’t immediately give praise to God, he was immediately struck down and eaten by worms. Despite all this, the word of God continued to spread. Human leaders seem powerful. But God’s authority always prevails.
Application: Father, help us to fear you, and not men like Herod.
One Word: God’s word spreads despite evil men