I'm using
a real simple system to focus in on the text. I'll read and listen to the text
and ask what God might be leading me to Be
thankful for, Confess, Ask, or Do. I'll journal out what's on my heart
and mind. I invite you to do the same.
Our Bible
reading continues… (Acts 16:26-34, NIV84)
“Suddenly there was
such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At
once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The
jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and
was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But
Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called
for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought
them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At
that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then
immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into
his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had
come to believe in God—he and his whole family.”
___________________________We last left Paul abandoned in a dark, dank jail cell, bloodied from the unjust wounds of the days selfless and godly acts on behalf of a poor servant girl. Paul and Silas had the right to be angry let alone furious but they sat singing praises to their God. Amazing! But it gets even better. God sends a violent earthquake. The jail is open and justice is served. God hears their prayers and rescues his people. But God was not telling them to run out of there as fast as they could. God had something even more important for Paul to do. This middle class worker, the jailer, had in this moment an opportunity of a life time and Paul was there to be part of it. Roman soldiers were duty bound and if any of their prisoners escaped on their watch they would receive the punishment of that prisoner, or worse. After near suicide, the jailer looks to Paul for salvation from what we can’t be entirely sure but Paul makes the most of this moment and directs the jailer to believe in Jesus. This short sentence no doubt unpacked that evening to not only the jailer but his whole family. They were filled with joy because he had come to believe in God. The beating that Paul and Silas received, the false imprisonment was worth it. The pains and trials we go through in order to share our faith are always worth it. Trust God our Savior. He brings good for his people.
And
so the church in the city of Philippi is started with some unlikely founders: a
rich business woman – Lydia, a former slave girl (I’m assuming that she
continued to follow Jesus after the demon was driven from her), and a middle
class jailer. If God can start a church
with this ragtag team I wonder what he can do with us?
Be thankful for...
Lord you are always working to bring more people into your family. It is truly a highlight of a lifetime to be used by you to impact someone’s eternity.
Confess...
There are too many times I would like to have it easy in this world instead of doing the hard work and living through the hard situations that are part of your will for our life, that bring us closer. Forgive me for my impatience.
Ask...
Give me the words to speak as boldly as Paul, that in the moment, one more family might be brought to faith in you.
Do...
Lord give me the eyes to see each person I interact with as a special treasure that you were willing to die and rise for. Help me share the same kind of mercy you first showed to me.
________________________
Those are my thoughts. Please read through the text one more time and let me know
if you notice anything else.
No comments:
Post a Comment