Shine – To Those In Authority
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, we thank You for your gift of the Word. We desire to learn and grow from Your truth. Open the eyes of my heart that I might see You. Amen
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 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. 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. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
REFLECT:
Although wrongfully imprisoned and harshly treated under the control of cruel jailers, Paul and Silas chose an attitude of praise and worship to God. This was experienced by both the other prisoners and those in authority over them. As a result of their faithfulness amid tough circumstances, they were well positioned to witness to those in charge when things went south. In fact, when the head jailer realizes that the prisoners are still in place, he knows that their God is involved, and that Paul and Silas must have the solution to the question “what must I do to be saved?” When Paul and Silas overcame any fear of the jailer or loss of freedom and spoke out urgent words of hope, the jailer “was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole household.”
APPLY:
Does your life reflect to others God’s personal involvement? Do you offer others the opportunity to find the hope that you have? Are you ready with the boldness to “give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV) to even those that have authority over you? When the gospel is at stake, is your fear of retribution pushed aside to faithfully answer God’s call to represent Him? What fears stop you? Loss of business or missed promotion opportunities? Fear that your kids will not be invited to a birthday party or allowed playing time? Is concern of being labeled or “canceled” causing you to remain quiet when the Spirit is prompting you to share?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus help me to love all people the way that the Father loves us all. Make my heart like Yours. Remove my fears and use me to share grace and peace through my life, my actions, and my words. In Jesus name, Amen.