“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’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 household 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 household.” Acts 16:26-34
This is the rest of the passage from last week’s devotion “Praising.” I recently heard a message in which the preacher stated that God responded to the praise and singing of Paul and Silas. The simple phrase “God responded” really hit me. Why did God respond? Well, I most definitely am not going to claim that I understand His motives and reasons. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8-9
However, I am moved by the fact that the Bible doesn’t say Paul and Silas were praying for their release. Were they? Maybe. I don’t know, but that isn’t stated here. The emphasis is on the worship of God. How often do I just WORSHIP God without asking Him to work on my behalf? These men had just been beaten and had no idea when or if they’d be released and yet they worshipped. And God responded in a pretty mighty way! He sent an earthquake to open the cell!
What would you do if you were in jail after being whipped and suddenly the bars opened and you were free to escape this place of torture? Do you think you’d run? I think I would. But Paul and Silas had their minds set on the bigger picture. I believe that’s why God responded. They stayed because they knew the jailor would be killed if they escaped. I don’t believe this jailor was any friend of theirs. But Paul and Silas knew he was not a Christian and decided that their lives on earth were not as important as their eternity or the eternity of others. So risking their earthly comfort, they remained for the jailor’s sake. And here’s the best part… The jailor and his whole family were saved that day! Isn’t God amazing??? I can be so short – sighted sometimes, worrying about my comfort, what I deserve and don’t deserve, spending my days trying to please myself. But man, the things I’m missing when I do that! What is God patiently waiting for me to realize while I waste my time on myself?
Lord, help me not to be so focused on my own comfort that I miss out on the bigger picture. Give me a heavenly mindset and cause me to only seek to glorify You in all I do. Take away my love for myself and replace it with a mighty love for You. Help me to love others and see them the way You do. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Here’s a super easy verse to memorize: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2