When The Lord Reigns

When the Lord Reigns: What Acts 12 Teaches Us About Power, Prayer, and Peace

There’s a game many of us played as kids called King of the Hill. The rules were simple: there’s only one king, and the king is whoever is standing on top of the hill. The goal was to fight your way up… and once you got there, your job was to keep everyone else down so you could stay there.
If we’re honest, a lot of people are still playing that game—just in grown-up ways.
Some build their throne on money, sports, status, relationships, or influence. Others build their throne on control, approval, or image. But Acts 12 shows us there’s another way to live—one where Jesus Christ sits on the throne, and everything changes.
In Acts 12, we see what happens when the Lord reigns—in the world, in the church, and in the heart of a believer.

1) When the Lord Reigns, Pretenders Abuse Authority
The story opens with a hard reality: worldly power often turns cruel.
Herod lays hands on believers “in order to mistreat them.” He has James executed. Then he arrests Peter—because he sees that persecution earns him public applause.
That’s what pretenders do. They don’t use authority to bless people. They use authority to protect themselves, build their platform, and keep others down.
Herod even places Peter under maximum security—four squads of soldiers guarding him—because he’s determined nothing will threaten his control.
But here’s the truth: Jesus is already reigning.
Herod may look powerful, but his authority is temporary. Christ’s authority is eternal.
And we still see this today.
Pretenders creep into every sector of life—politics, business, homes, friendships, and even pulpits. People insecure in their identity don’t lead with humility. They lead with intimidation. They want you to feel their authority.
But the way of Jesus is different.
Herod kills James to please people.
Jesus lays down His life so people can live.
That’s the difference between a pretender and the true King.

2) When the Lord Reigns, God’s People Pray Without Panic
Here’s what the church does in response to Herod’s threat:
They pray.
Acts 12 says, “Prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.” They didn’t begin with strategy. They began with surrender.
Then we get one of the most striking lines in the whole chapter:
“Peter was sleeping.”
Peter is hours away from execution… and he’s asleep.
That’s not denial. That’s faith.
It’s the kind of peace you only have when you know you’re not ultimately in Herod’s hands—you’re in God’s hands.
We live in an anxious culture. People are overwhelmed, reactive, and constantly on edge. But Scripture calls God’s people to a different posture:

• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer…
• Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
• He will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him.

When the Lord reigns, God’s people don’t pretend problems aren’t real. They just refuse to panic—because they know God is sovereign, God is good, and God is present.

3) When the Lord Reigns, God Opens What No Man Can Shut
In the middle of the night, an angel appears in Peter’s cell. Light fills the room. The angel nudges Peter awake, the chains fall off, and Peter is led straight out.
Then the iron gate opens “by itself.”
Herod says, “Not under my watch.”
God says, “Watch this.”
Acts 12 is a reminder that God is the Deliverer. And the timing isn’t accidental. Peter is arrested during the days of Unleavened Bread—when God’s people are celebrating the Exodus and remembering that the Lord is the One who rescues.
And He still does.
God may not always deliver in the way we want, on the timeline we prefer, or with the outcome we would choose—but He is always faithful.
In Acts 12, James is martyred and Peter is rescued. Both outcomes glorify Christ. Both strengthen the church. Both advance the gospel.
God’s reign is not measured by comfort. It’s measured by His unstoppable purpose.

4) When the Lord Reigns, Prayer Stretches Your Faith
Peter goes to the house where believers are gathered in prayer. He knocks.
A servant girl named Rhoda hears his voice, gets so excited she forgets to open the door, and runs inside shouting:
“Peter is here!”
And the church responds:
“You are out of your mind.”
It’s one of the most human moments in all of Scripture.
They’re literally praying for Peter… and when God answers, they struggle to believe it.
That’s why prayer stretches your faith. Prayer confronts you with a deeper question:
Do you actually believe God can do what you’re asking?
Sometimes our most honest prayer sounds like this:
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
And the good news is: God’s faithfulness is not limited by the weakness of our faith. He responds because He is faithful.

5) When the Lord Reigns, Imposters Fall and God’s Word Advances
Herod’s story ends the way every false king eventually ends.
He receives worship that belongs to God. He refuses to give glory to the Lord—and judgment falls. Acts says he was struck down and died.
And then Scripture gives the real headline:
“But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”
That’s the pattern of history.
You can arrest apostles.
You can threaten Christians.
You can attack the church.
You can pretend you’re king.
But you cannot stop what God has spoken.
The Word advances. The gospel spreads. Jesus builds His church.
The Big Question: Who Is on the Throne of Your Life?
Acts 12 isn’t just a story about Herod and Peter.
It’s an invitation.

There are only two thrones you can build:

1. A throne where you rule—and spend your life defending it
2. A throne where Jesus rules—and you spend your life surrendering to Him

Believing facts about Jesus isn’t the same as surrendering to Jesus.
The real question is: Have you surrendered?
Is Jesus at the center of your life—your relationships, your money, your plans, your future, your purpose?
Because when Jesus reigns, you don’t have to keep fighting to be king of the hill.
You’re free.

A Simple Prayer of Surrender
If you’ve never trusted Christ, or you need to re-center your life on Him, you can pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, sit on the throne of my life.
I repent of my sin and receive Your forgiveness.
Lead me, rule me, and change me.
I surrender all to You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.