Yesterday, we saw that Paul and Silas had been wrongfully accused. Though Paul had cast the spirit out of a slave woman who could foretell the future, he had done nothing wrong. Yet, the authorities took the side of the accusers and had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison.
Not only were Paul and Silas put in prison, but they were also put in the innermost cell and their feet were fastened in stocks. The jailer had followed his orders from the authorities to the best of his ability. He had done all he could to ensure they could not escape.
Yet, Paul and Silas did not mope around and feel sorry for themselves. Instead, they sang hymns to God, praising him for sparing their lives. They ministered to their fellow prisoners with their singing. Their faith was shining through in their singing, their positive attitude, and refusal to succumb to their situation.
God had plans to use them. He shook the prison and caused the doors to be opened and their shackles to be loosened. But that was only to identify the mission he had for Paul and Silas. The jailer was frightened to the point of preparing to kill himself rather than facing the authorities. This is where Paul steps in. He tells the jailer to stop, that all of the prisoners are still there. Ultimately, Paul and Silas tell the jailer the good news of Jesus and baptize him and his entire family.
We can learn from this experience of Paul’s. Even when we think things are going badly, God is always working. He has a plan. We may not see how God is working in the moment, but we cannot give up our faith. We are to continue to believe God is in control and will work everything for our good.
I pray we all learn from Paul and Silas’s experience. I pray we trust God is continually working. I pray each one of us will hold onto our faith and believe God will work it all for our good. Trust God in all situations. Hold onto your faith. Know that God has a plan. Trust God to work it for good.
Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
Marty Pressey 