A Miracle

In the book of Acts and chapter 16 the story is told of Paul and Silas when they were arrested and thrown in prison. The story highlights the accusations brought against them and tells us how they were stripped and severely flogged before being thrown in prison. It narrates how they were singing and praying in prison and a violent earthquake hits, opening all the doors for them to escape. But they didn't. This confused me. It made me wonder what they were praying for in the first place.

As I pondered this passage, it occurred to me that in the midst of all their obvious suffering and afflictions they were probably not praying for a way out or for God's deliverance as we most likely would assume they were doing because we would have been doing that. It cannot be, for if they were praying for rescue then they would have seen the earthquake and open doors as the answer to their prayers and simply would have walked out... free.

Their actions during and following the earthquake shed light into what they were most likely praying about. My guess is their petition to God was that He give them an opportunity even in this circumstance to be a witness for Him. Hence when the earthquake hits they see it more as an opportunity to stay and to put themselves in a position to share the gospel with, and find repentance and faith with not just the prisoners but the jailer himself.

Many times we are tempted to believe that the big miracle here was the earthquake. But on a true reading of this passage you see the real miracle was the ability God gives His people to be in trying and painful situation and to be able to pray for God's will and live for Kingdom purposes even then.

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