Wayside Chapel Daily Devotional

Wayside Chapel Daily Devotional

July 29

Acts 16:25-26, 33 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly 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.

33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

The Holy Spirit guided Paul and Silas by forbidding them to go in certain directions and through a night vision. In Philippi they found some Jewish women who accepted the Word and believed.

After Paul had cast a spirit of divination out of a young lady, those who had used her to make money stirred up the town against them. They were whipped and thrown into prison. The prisoners must have been amazed to hear these men who had been beaten and sat in stocks singing praise to God. At midnight an earthquake opened the prison doors and their chains came loose. The guard was about to kill himself. Losing a prisoner meant his life would be forfeit. Paul stopped him by telling him all the prisoners were still there.

Most people would be looking for a way to escape. Paul and Silas were looking for opportunities to share Jesus. The grateful soldier washed their wounds and gathered his family to hear their testimony about Jesus. He and his whole family believed and were baptized before one o'clock in the morning! I don't think anyone slept that night. Most of us would wonder if God had made a mistake by allowing them to be thrown into prison. Paul and Silas praised God in everything and were given the opportunity to lead this Roman family, and probably many of the prisoners, to Jesus. God planned a midnight earthquake to establish a church in Philippi.

Consider: When circumstance leads you down a road that is not one you would have chosen, look for God to be working something in or through your life. Your importunity is God's opportunity. Praise Him for it, and watch for His hand.

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