A Five Point Lesson

“But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Acts 16: 28 (New King James Version)

When reading from Acts 16: 16 onwards , we see that there was a slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divinition. So her masters gained much profit by fortune-telling. We readin verse 17, “This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying , “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”” First point to be noted today – Demons know who we are when we have the Most High residing as Lord in our lives !!

Now this girl did this for many days and Paul was distressed. And so he said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. Now her masters seeing that their hope for profit was gone, seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities. Then after speaking to the magistrates the multitudes rose up together against them . The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded that Paul and Silas be beaten with rods. Second Point of the day – People will rise up against you as you go about doing the will of God. Be prepared to take a beating for His name. We are not of this world. Hence the world just doesn’t get us. Ever wondered sometimes why you just don’t fit in with the gangs in your school, colleges or work ? Because you were made to stand out for His glory and not blend in !

We read in verses 23-24, “And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

Now this is the best part , verse 25 , “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Ever gave the excuse , “Lord Im just too tired today to pray… Im gonna sleep” . Tired from ? Working in a comfy office ? Busy studying for an exam? Busy taking care of family ?

These men were dragged , beaten , stripes were laid on their back... No medication or sumptious food was provided for them. They were dragged and dumped in prison with stocks on their feet. Im sure the prison cells were not some fancy comfy room filled with thr fragrance of air freshner. But you know what ? They prayed and they sang !! And they did not do it because they wanted something . No , they prayed and praised God because that is the greatest blessing one can have… The opportunity to praise His Holy name. And guess what ? The other prisoners listened. Third point of the day – Stop with the excuses. We can never be too tired to pray and praise our God. Praise Him for who He is and NOT because you want something. He will renew your strength ! He will use every moment we submit to Him for His glory

We read in verse 26-28 , “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 chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.””

You would think that Paul would have thought , “hey look , the doors have opened for our escape…..lets runnnnnn !!” . But Paul did not think like people of the world . He thought like a servant of God. And you know what ? The keeper of the prison called for a light and ran into the prison and fell down trembling before them. We read in verse 30 , “And he brought them out and said, “Sirs , what must I do to be saved?”” Wow ! That decision to not behave like someone of the world , but instead to act as a servant of God brought a man into salvation. Fourth point of the day –Being conscious to the ways of God and not the ways of the world, can make the difference between eternal life and eternal death .

And it does not stop there. We read in verses 31 -34 , “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” We see that God opened the door for not just the prison keeper to be saved but for His entire household to be saved and baptised. And for His servants Paul and Silas, God made the same prison keeper to wash their stripes and lay before them food to eat . And they rejoiced in the Lord together !! Fifth point of the day – Our God is faithful. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can think and ask of according to the power that works in us.

God Bless