God’s Timing:
Shortcut to Prison – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Acts 16:16-24

Key Verse:  Acts 16:23

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.

How frustrating would it be to be moving from town to town, watching God move in mighty ways, and then suddenly be thrown into prison?  That is the short version of what happened to Paul and Silas as they traveled about ministering for Jesus.  People were being converted under their ministry and churches were being strengthened in their faith!  Why would God allow these two highly effective missionaries to be stopped by an unfair and angry crowd?  It must have seemed to these two godly ministers that God’s timing was way off.

            God’s timing was perfect, of course, as God had His eye on a jailer ready for the Gospel to change his and his family’s lives.  That night in prison Paul and Silas began to sing and pray, believing and trusting that God knew what He was doing, even if it didn’t make sense to them!  God came upon the scene and opened all the locked jail doors by a violent earthquake.  These missionaries could have run, but decided that God had another plan.  The jailer asked the question we all love to hear: “What do I have to do to be saved?”  He and his household were saved and baptized!

            What is God up to in your life?  Not sure?  That is the way it is most of the time for Christ followers.  We simply must trust the hand of God and His perfect timing in the events of our lives!  He works all things out for our good and His glory.  Wait on the Lord.

Father, some things don’t make sense to me, but I will trust you and know your timing is always on time!  Thank you for being so good!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.