Acts 16:25-26
“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 everybody’s chains came loose.”
As a Juvenile Probation Officer, I experienced many incidents. One stands out clearly in my mind. I was leaving my office at the close of the day when I heard a wail. Not only a wail, but one calling my name: “Mr. Thompson, I want to go home! Please let me go home!” I looked up and realized it was coming from the County Juvenile Detention cell.
The young man who was calling to me had been arrested by the police for about the tenth time. Time after time the Judge had warned him that his conduct had to change, but each time he was released he would get in more trouble and once more find himself in jail. Now he was wailing away to be released.
I called up to him that the judge had left for the day and that the earliest he could be considered for release would be the next day. I had to leave him crying out for release, even when he knew that there was no way out.
Many people find themselves in prisons of their own making. Others are victims of the offense of someone else―regardless, they feel trapped without hope of release. Are you there? It is when we are in these situations that we need to remember that the apostles went through the same ordeals―probably much worse. As we read in today’s Scripture, Paul’s reaction to being beaten and thrown into prison was to praise. Try praising God from your own prison!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com