S: Acts 16:28 NIV- But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
O: Paul and Silas were thrown in jail for casting a spirit out of a fortune teller in public. The men that were making money from the young girl were upset that she had been delivered from the spirits which had given her these abilities. Out of their anger accused Paul and Silas of creating a public disturbance. As a result, the Magistrates had them severely flogged and thrown in prison. While in prison, Paul and Silas began to sing songs to the Lord while the other prisoners were listening. All of a sudden, an earthquake hit the foundation of the prison, all the doors flew open, and all the prisoners chains fell off. Assuming he would be killed, because he thought all the men would escape, the jailer raises his sword to kill himself. Paul shouts out to him in verse 28, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
A: I love this story because it always reminds me that God is always up to something bigger than we expect. This story was never about the deliverance of Paul and Silas physically, even though that was one outcome, it was always about the Jailer and his families deliverance spiritually. God always takes care of His children in the physical sense, but more importantly, His primary concern is the state of your spiritual life. You can physically, or mentally be in a prison, but of your spirit has been set free by the grace of Jesus Christ, there is not a power on earth that can contain you. What's so special about this story is that because Paul and Silas were free in spirit, God knew that going to jail for them wouldn't be a problem. Gods ultimate goal was to position them next to the jailer so that he and his family could experience the same freedom that Paul and Silas had already experienced in their heart. The truth is, if God makes you wait in a prison, it's probably to deliver the jailer. You may be stuck in a situation today that feels like a prison, but because you are free in spirit, God may have you waiting to deliver the same people that put you there in the first place. No one is beyond the reach of God! As believers of Christ we are called to hold firm to our faith, even in the most dismal situations, because when others can see that our freedom transcends our physical condition, they are more likely to seek the same freedom we posses.
P: God thank You that what Your word says in John 8:36 is true; "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." No matter what prison I may find myself in, let my faith show others I am free, so that they can find freedom in You. Amen.
