from Acts 16:
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
I remember hearing this story as a child. My sister and I even sang a Sunday school song about it. For me, it was one of those accounts from Scripture that took on real meaning when I read it for myself a few weeks ago.
Paul and Silas were in chains – in prison – and God delivered them by causing an earthquake to shake those chains right off.
an earthquake. AN EARTHQUAKE.
I’ll tell you write now, with sincere honesty from my heart, that often I find myself in chains – really, chains of sin accepted by my own hand. And when those bonds take hold, I tend to look around for the earthquake. I scan the horizon for signs of some miraculous intervention by God Himself. I really do, because I want my situation (which, again, is of my own making) to change dramatically and quickly for my benefit.
It hasn’t happened yet. not once.
Do you know why? Well, I can’t say that I know the mind of God and why He choses to deliver certain people certain ways. But I have an idea.
God has provided rescue, a means of grace, by giving us His Word. I got to thinking about how I choose to sin, believing, thinking, acting in ways that do not line up with Scripture. And then I realized He doesn’t need to provide a natural disaster to shake things up. What He offers isn’t fast and painless. No, its a slow, quiet process where , by the power of the Holy Spirit, He massages the truth into my heart and mind – leading me towards belief and real heart change.
To be clear, there are many, many chains that I deal with, so these are just a few :
When I’m discontent or impatient with His work, He says, “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (from Thessalonians 5)
When I dwell on my fear of the future and think His plan is insufficient, He reminds me, “Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. 8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” (from Psalm 138)
When I choose to stop trusting, and believe in myself instead of His wisdom, I hear Him clearly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (from Proverbs 3)
In my mind, the miracle is, of course, that He chooses to speak at all, continuing to love me (and all of His children) beyond all of my failures, altering my path and setting my feet towards freedom. After all, I suppose this gentle approach of truth matched with steadfast love makes sense from a Heavenly Father who tells me to “Be still and know that I am God.”
daily portion 