Why was Peter left in prison for seven or more days, Acts 12.1-11, when the Lord could have sprung him at any time? We could ask, of course, why Peter was allowed to be imprisoned to start with. Or, from the other side, why was James allowed to be beheaded and Peter saved? So many questions, once we start to ask!
But let us return to the original question. God left Peter in prison when he had the power to get him out on the first day, or when he had the power to keep him from going to prison in the first place. But the Lord waits until the eve of the day of execution! What purpose did this delay serve?
Such questions have no answers from a human standpoint. God has his reasons and works within his own time. Speculation is useless.
Moses wanted to keep the Israelites from wondering about how and when they might be subjected to the punishment their leader had just warned them against:
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those that are revealed belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we might obey all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29.29.
Of one thing we may be sure: God is wise in his providence. He acts for our best interest. He makes no missteps. His timing is perfect.
We must remember this when we or our loved ones are in straits. When others do damage. When pain or sickness or death enters the door. When the Kingdom seems to suffer setbacks.
What we must do at such moments is to obey the Lord and pray, as the saints did during Peter’s imprisonment. And perhaps be a bit less surprised when the Lord answers our prayers.
What good was done by Peter’s extended stay under lock and key and double guard? Can we find any statement of blessing or growth because of Peter’s long imprisonment or his miraculous release? None whatsoever. (Peter leaves and goes to another place, Acts 12.17, basically, his exit from the story.) But God knows what serves his purpose. He knows when to act and when to refrain from acting.
The whys of the present will give way to the praise of the providence of God. Often as not, what people consider as last-minute salvation in the nick of time is perfect timing in the eyes of Heaven.
So, today, and every day, is the great Faith proposition in the ways of God.