August 6, 2021 - Acts 16: 35-40
Difficult times have been used by the Lord to bring unexpected blessings and open opportunities to proclaim God’s word. Paul wrote many of his letters to the churches while imprisoned, Martin Luther was kept in a castle in Germany for an extended period during which he translated and wrote the New Testament into the German language. Dietrich Bonhoeffer spent time exiled and in jail where he wrote warnings to the Church in Europe. Martin Luther King sat in a jail cell in Alabama and wrote a letter that inspired millions of readers.
After having led the warden of the jail and his family to the Lord, Paul and Silas are suddenly allowed to go free. The leaders of the city had unexpectedly sent a delegation requesting that the prisoners be set free. After a dizzying twenty-four hours of illegal imprisonment, beatings, an earthquake, and finally the salvation of individuals, Paul should have rejoiced and gladly left the jail, but he did not. Instead, he refuses and insists that the wrongs committed against Silas and himself be rescinded and publicly corrected.
Whereas the Lord had protected and directed His messengers, Paul demanded that their personal record be cleared so that no improper allegations of wrongdoing would follow their ministry. Recognizing that the Roman legal system could and would investigate prior offenses, Paul had these accusations purged from the records. Paul and Silas walked out of jail, freely connected and encouraged the believers before departing the city for the next ministry opportunity.
Difficult experiences are going to occur in our lives as believers. The Lord clearly reveals that we are not exempt but may be intricately a part of challenging circumstances. May we not shrink in the face of adversity but rather face it, trusting that our Savior knows exactly where we are and once again be reminded that He alone is in control of all things. The Lord does work all things together according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)!
With an expectant hope,
Pastor Miller