SUNDAY August 20, 2023
Drastic Measures
And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Acts 16:27-28
The jailer awoke from his sleep and could not believe his eyes! All the doors of the prison were suddenly shaken open. Thinking the worst, that all the prisoners had escaped, he took drastic measures and decided to kill himself. Suicide seemed the best option. He did not want to face the consequences––execution for dereliction of his duties. He was the one placed in charge of the prisoners, and, as such, he knew that if any escaped, he would have to pay with his own life.
Although the jailer saw the doors to the prison were open, everything else was pitch dark; he could not see into the cells. Paul had instant discernment from the Lord. I believe, through a word of wisdom, God revealed what the man was intending to do. So immediately, Paul called out to stop him! He reassured him that they were all still in their cells––no one had escaped. God had a plan to reach the jailer with the Gospel.
How many times do people see no light at the end of the tunnel? Their circumstances seem unfixable. Emotionally, they believe this is the end. With no hope and no way out, some are tempted to take drastic measures. They contemplate suicide. May God stop them! Things are not as hopeless as they may seem. Get help, seek a prayer partner, and wait on the Lord together. Let Him reveal the bigger picture of what He is doing.
When we are at the end of our rope, this is when we need to turn to God for help. To a hopeless sinner, God gives salvation. To those who have experienced failure, defeat, or sorrow over the loss of a loved one, God has a plan––a bigger picture. Trust Him to lead you day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. He will get you through it.
Faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and He will get us through it.
~Max Lucado~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
