Fan the Flame - a Journey Through ActsSample

Day 37 - Paul & Silas in Prison

Have you ever had a day that’s snowballed from bad to worse? It’s the stuff that comedies are made of, but it’s really not as funny when it’s happening to you. How do you respond to days like these? Frustration? Resignation? Anger? Prayer? Do you have a pity party or turn to a vice?

It can be easy to assume that days like these should not happen to us if we are walking in the will of God, who loves us and gives us good gifts, but Paul certainly had days like this. In today’s passage, we read how Paul was on his way to prayer when a demon-possessed girl interrupted his day with taunting. This leads to an exorcism, manhandling, false accusations, a riot, and Paul and Silas sitting in a prison, chained and severely beaten.

It would have been so easy for Paul and Silas to whine and moan in that prison cell, and nobody would have blamed them for it. They could have cut down their persecutors with sarcastic jokes, brainstormed a revenge plan, or sat there thinking of what they should have done or said differently. These responses would have been socially acceptable, but would have hardened their hearts and embittered them. Instead, Paul and Silas prayed and sang to God, and I believe it impacted what happened next.

This response is not born from optimism or delusion. This kind of response comes from a knowledge that God is in control and that we need to bring our hurts, fears, and hopes to Him, remembering who He is in our time of need. The beauty of this is that others in the jail were witness to this act of relational faith. Imagine the impact this would have had on them!

God responds to Paul and Silas with an earthquake, which could provide them with a quick and easy escape. Instead of looking to evade their difficulties,s however, they notice the opportunity this situation has opened up for them for ministry to their jailer. Now things snowball the other way, and not only does this jailer respond to the gospel, but his whole household does too!

It will not be long before you face an undesirable situation, either big or small. Let’s pray that we will respond like Paul and Silas, bringing our moments to God and trusting that He will use us to be a light to the world no matter the situation we find ourselves in.

Written by Jess Quak