What had started out to be a great day turned nasty quickly. The team started to see lives changed and even miracles done, then; they were arrested, beaten, thrown into stocks, and placed into the bowels of the jail. So, after such a rotten turn of events, Paul and Silas did what any mistreated Roman citizen would, they prayed and worshipped the Lord. Well, that captured the other inmates’ attention.
That was just the beginning, though. Next, God sent an earthquake, one violent enough to shake the stocks loose and the jail doors open. The jailer, who became personally responsible for any escapes, was ready to kill himself. Paul cried out for the jailer to stop; as neither He nor any of the other prisoners had escaped. The jailer was amazed that they had not escaped, and therefore spared his life.
From there, the day improved greatly. Paul and Silas’s wounds were treated, the jailer and his family heard the Gospel and were saved. They were baptized, and the church was now well on its way. The Philippian jailer was ordered to release the men. After a discussion, those that had wrongfully imprisoned the Paul and Silas, had to face them, apologize, and politely ask them to leave town. The team, having successfully established a church in Philippi, kindly moved on.
The spread of the Gospel was never going to be easy. But God is faithful not to leave His chosen to complete the mission alone. The Lord’s presence is felt by His missionaries, the people they touch, and many who are just there. God never leaves us , nor does He ever forsake us. Like any Father, He cares for us, leads us, and empowers us to complete the mission. When we face trials, we must never doubt the Lord’s desire to carry us through it. We must seek God and allow Him to complete the plan He has started. If we will, the Lord will do great and amazing things in and though us. All we will have to do is pray and worship.
God Bless You
3 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Philippian Jailer Converted
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer[e] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
Walking With God 