When Obedience Leads to Opposition: Lessons from Peter in Chains

Your current chains may be the result of your obedience.

Yes, you read that right.

Just ask Peter.

You wake up each day with a desire to serve your purpose with passion—yet still find yourself in circumstances where you feel helpless and overlooked?

You’re not alone.

Years ago, a woman of God shared something with me that I’ve never forgotten. She pointed me to Peter’s story in Acts 12:7 (ESV):

“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands.”

Peter wasn’t in prison because he’d done something wrong.
He was there because he had obeyed God. Because he was faithfully preaching the Gospel.

He was walking in purpose—and that obedience landed him in trouble.

Obedience Doesn’t Exempt Us from Opposition

It may seem backwards, but many of God’s most faithful servants have faced hardship, not in spite of their obedience, but because of it.

It’s in the fire of opposition that our faith is refined.
It’s in the resistance that our roots grow deep.
And it’s often through the struggle that our authority in the Word strengthens.

Let’s Break It Down: Acts 12:7

Let’s look at this verse more closely.

“And behold…”

To behold is to pause.
To look with intention.
To marvel.

Don’t breeze past these words. They set the tone—pay attention to what God is about to do.

“…an angel of the Lord stood next to him…”

One commentator notes, “Gates and guards kept all his friends from him, but they could not keep the angels of God from him.”

God’s presence is not limited by earthly restrictions.

As Psalm 34:7 says:

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

Just as divine help was available to Peter, it’s still available to you and me today.

“…and [the angel] woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands.”

I imagine it like this:

As Peter responded in faith to the angel’s command, the chains fell. Could the chains have broken the moment the angel touched him? Possibly.

But a disoriented Peter may not have realized his freedom until he took that step of obedience and got up.

Obedience Precedes Breakthrough

Friend, what if your breakthrough is on the other side of obedience?

What if the chains aren’t the end of the story, but the setup for God to reveal His power?

You may be in a cold, dark season. You may feel tired, stuck, or unsure of the next step.

But may I encourage you:
Ask God for fresh eyes of faith in your current situation.

And when you hear His instruction—act on it, even if you feel weak.
He will strengthen you as you obey.

A Prayer for the Weary and Faithful

Gracious Heavenly Father, I look to You for help. Strengthen me once again and give me eyes of faith for the journey You have for me. Help me to trust You even when the path feels uncertain, and to obey even when I feel afraid. I believe You are with me. I believe You are working. And I trust that, in Your perfect timing, my chains will fall. In Jesus’ name, Amen.