Devotionals for November 17, 2022
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READ
ACTS 16:22-31
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 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.”
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 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.”
REFLECT
The modern American preaches personal rights. Prosperity gospels preach personal comfort and wealth. But the real Gospel preaches the victory of Christ through all things, including trials. The faith of Paul and Silas in this scene is so encouraging for its brazen hopefulness in the face of misfortune and extreme inconvenience. Their total hope in Jesus shines brightly in a dark place.
APPLY
Q: Imagine being thrown into a hopeless situation. How would you feel and react in that moment? How would it compare to Paul and Silas’s trust?
Q: What is a trial you’re going through right now and how can you increase your hope and faith through it?
Q: Faith is stronger in community. Who can you pray with, praise with, and encourage today?
Q: What is a trial you’re going through right now and how can you increase your hope and faith through it?
Q: Faith is stronger in community. Who can you pray with, praise with, and encourage today?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, forgive me for wavering and losing trust in You when things get hard. Forgive me for demanding my own way. Help me to trust in the finished work of Your Son, Jesus, and live out that faith with joy and hope. Amen.
Lord, forgive me for wavering and losing trust in You when things get hard. Forgive me for demanding my own way. Help me to trust in the finished work of Your Son, Jesus, and live out that faith with joy and hope. Amen.