THE JAILER AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
Paul ended up in prison for doing the LORD’S will! So often we falsely believe that if we are “doing His will,” we are kept from any trials, troubles. But not so! God cares for souls and uses His people, circumstances, events to go get a soul from spiritual darkness into spiritual light. Such was the unfolding of the providence of God in the life of a suicidal jailer and his family. Paul and Silas were put in prison for being about the LORD’S business and delivering a fortune teller from demonic influence and men who used her. They did good and what happened? They ended up in prison! How could this be? They were “serving the LORD?” “But God…” He was after the welfare of the jailor and his family. Providentially, sending His Son into the world in the fullness of time-{Read Gal 4:4}. He died, was buried, and raised from the dead and providentially intervened in Paul’s life and saved him whom He had chosen before his birth and called him to preach the Gospel.-{Read Gal 1;15-16}. And he was doing that, when it ended him in prison.
Was he bitter, angry at God? Read ahead, “…But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; No he was not bitter, or angry or feeling that God was doing him wrong or offended by Him because he falsely believed God should keep Him from pain, suffering or anything “bad” happening to Him. That somehow God was “obligated” since he was “serving he LORD!” He did not fall back into a ‘works mentality,’ that his working for the LORD would cause, force God even to respond by protecting and prospering him. how often this happens we believe falsely in His service, God is obligated to keep us from pain. No his heart was right, his focus was higher and even here God was using Paul and Silas as the prisoners were listening! Do you ever believe if bad things happen that God is somehow not doing right, and you appeal to what You are doing or not doing as though falling back into a works mentality should guaranteed you trouble free living? Is that what the Scripture teaches? Or does it not teach,” in this world you will have trouble… when you encounter trials…those who desire to live Godly will suffer persecution… it;s been gifted to you not only to believe, but also to SUFFER for Him… after you have suffered a little while… do not be surprised…” are these verses null and void when they come to you and me? I don’t think so. And did the LORD Jesus not say that Paul was a “CHOSEN instrument of Mine and I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name”…and did God not keep that Promise, Read 2 Cor 11…!” Paul was not bitter but praised the LORD unashamedly both he and Silas in prison for doing what was right! And while they were singing and the prisoners were listening…
“…and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. “-{ Acts 16:25-26}. God who is Sovereign, and in control of all things including the weather had and earthquake come and the foundations of the prisons shaken, doors flung open…”
“When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.“-{Acts 16:27-34}. The jailor was about to commit suicide and Paul told him to do himself no harm all the prisoners were still there, no one bolted and from his providential circumstances he asked “What must i do to be saved? God who rules, PROVIDENTIALLY had Paul and Silas there coming from the injustice of men who were upset the woman they used was no longer able to make them money, “But God…” was still in charge and working towards an end the spiritual goodness, welfare of the jailor and his household, of eternal benefits, the saving of their souls! God on the move, circumstancing, moving people, dictating events all to His end, his will been done, His glory. God controlling circumstances, events, people all to His end.
How amazing is the LOVE of the LORD in using circumstances, events, people to bring about eternal good for someone else, in this case the suicidal jailer and his whole family. What started out as an ordinary day ended up a life changing day. a day of new spiritual birth all because God had planned and provided for it through His Son,His servants, His message… there are no ordinary days with God, He is always moving in circumstances, events and peoples lives to bring about salvation, change for our benefit and His Fame!
God is on the move. Providence enables us to look back in our lives and trace His loving care… and it strengthens us for the moment to draw courage from HIS ABILITY, LOVE AND Care FOR us and others. You are part of His Master plan…
HE IS WORKING OUT HIS PLAN TO HIS END;
“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will “-{Ephesians 1:11}.
Be encouraged… Be thankful to Him for saving you -{Read Col 1:12-14}. Be watchful in your circumstances the people who come to mind for prayer and the people you encounter to share and love!
The Tough situations, even unfair circumstances you find yourself in Sing his praises and lets see what He is doing that He has you a part of by having you there!
GOD IS AT WORK. GOD IS IN THE DAILY DETAILS!