Doors Open and Chains Fall

SCRIPTURE:
Acts 16:25-26 NLT - Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

OBSERVATION:
In Acts 16, we see three notable events unfold, each leading to the salvation of others. God would use each of these events to bring others to Himself through what each was going through.

We see that after parting ways with Barnabas, Paul brings Timothy along on his missionary journeys.

This shows us that God uses all things in our lives—even the complicated stuff, like strained relationships. Timothy became a young apprentice to Paul and was often called “his son in the faith.” Through this challenging situation, “good” was evident.

We also see that the Holy Spirit twice kept Paul and Silas from preaching the good news in certain towns (vs 6-10). Often, when God changes “our” plans, we don’t see them as divine appointments but as inconveniences to getting what “I want.” The result was a great move of God, greater than Paul could ever have imagined.

Lastly, we see that when Paul heard the Macedonian call (vs 9), he and Silas ended up in prison, not what he had expected. Yet it was what God would use to save many.

All three of these events ended with the same outcome – furtherance of the Kingdom of God.

Should that not be our ultimate goal, no matter the discomfort, changes of plans, and heartache we sometimes experience? Seeing those come to salvation and a relationship with Jesus Christ is worth our “minor” inconveniences.

APPLICATION:
What things in our lives, like imprisonment and earthquakes, can God use to set people free? This is not something we often consider when we go through difficulties. By no means am I trying to trivialize what you may be going through, but rather to help you and me realize that God can use these things — and the way we respond to them — to draw others to Himself.

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for freeing a demonic girl (vs 16-20). How unfair is that?

But while in prison, Paul and Silas, rather than grumbling and complaining, worshiped. When they did, we saw something amazing happen:

Acts 16:25-26 NLT - Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

What are the doors that need opening and the chains that need to fall in your life? What about those around you?

Instead of grumbling and complaining, try worship and praise, and see how God may use your “earthquakes” and “imprisonment” to lead others to salvation. You may hear, as Paul and Barnabas did, those watching say:

Acts 16:30 NLT - …"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for using everything, even my toughest circumstances, as opportunities to share Your love with those around me. May I find my strength, peace, and Joy in You, not in my circumstances. And may those who observe see a God who loves, saves, and is gracious and merciful to everyone who comes to Him.