Saved by an earthquake

Isn’t it strange that sometimes you read a familiar passage in the Bible that you have been reading many times… and then for the first time, you read a truth that you’ve never seen before?  Last night I’ve been reading about Paul and Silas…

 ²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. ²³ After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

 ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ 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. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16 NIV)

After been beaten and thrown into jail – round at about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing like some of us don’t even pray in good times…

But the significant part – “…and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

Other’s will always be looking and listening how you handle life if you say you are a Christian, especially through the tough and difficult times – you see, we are supposed to be handing life differently if God is on our side!

Then even more significant – God’s response to praying and praising in difficult times – an earthquake, freeing them from prison… but, not only Paul and Silas were freed… each and every prisoner that listened to them, was freed!

Isn’t that just amazing – when you pray and praise in difficult times – it can even influence those who listen to you!

What do you do in difficult times?  If you choose to praise Him, in spite of you circumstances, you might also free the people listening to you!

Shalom!

Anina

(This day is written in loving memory of Jean-Pierre Homan (29/07/1990 - 26/05/2011) - my brother and sister in law's son. And to you Barney and Jenny - who is still praising in difficult times as parents losing a son - may many be freed from their prisons, because you are praising!)



Jean-Pierre Homan