Where to begin when there are so many nuggets here!? Keeping the context in mind is always helpful. They are still in Philippi, a Roman controlled city with few Jews. Paul and his group have been faithful in prayer by the water’s edge. They encountered a slave girl who had a demonic spirit within her predicting future events. Although she spoke the truth regarding Paul’s identity, Paul recognized the demonic source, and finally loses his cool ordering the spirit to leave the girl. It promptly obeys and is gone from the girl.
I wonder if Paul knew his action would bring the house down on him, so to speak. Why? Paul had put a halt to the income stream this girl’s master had, and that did not go over well. Paul and Silas were publicly beaten and thrown into jail, to include stocks on their feet. City officials were told lies and to quiet the mob these men received no trial. Do you wonder if Paul and Silas tried to defend themselves? The text is silent on this. Whether they fought back or not, their faith remained strong and true. Unshakable.
Imprisonment was not a new thing for Paul, but it could be Silas’ first go around. You may recall Paul had been miraculously released from prison on two prior occasions. Perhaps he knew God would come through again, so he let the Romans have their way with him. That’s unshakable faith. Sure enough, God comes through again. Using a mighty earthquake, Paul, Silas and all of the other prisoners were unlocked from their captivity. A bit over the top, but God’s power tends to amaze us.
The surprising thing was that nobody ran for the hills, even the other prisoners. The jailer was even saved that night, from killing himself, and for eternal life in Christ. God was in the earthquake, and not only was the foundation moved, lives were shaken. Can you remember a time in your life when the ground moved (maybe not literally) so that you took notice of what God was doing in your life? It doesn’t have to be dramatic, but it has to be memorable. Sensing God is at work on your behalf, opening doors and opportunities to you is one of the most exciting things you can experience.
The story concludes with Paul and his ministry team being asked to leave. Paul wasn’t about to leave quietly because he needed to bring something to the city official’s attention. They were Roman citizens. You can just imagine the hush that fell over them. To be a Roman citizen was a big deal. Not everyone was a “citizen.” To think Roman citizens had been treated in such a way – with the beating and imprisonment. Paul and Silas would have every right to bring an action against those officials. Now they were the ones who were “quaking!”
But Paul and Silas were not of the mindset to cause trouble. God had been glorified in their suffering. The jailer and his family (and maybe even the other prisoners) were now followers. The church continued to grow in number by adding more people with unshakable faith. You don’t witness God’s power like that and walk away untouched.
You may be going through something that is causing you pain or heartache. Don’t forget to worship and pray, like Paul and Silas did when stuck in jail. May your faith be unshakable as you wait for God to move. Pray for God to be glorified and the strength to endure.
The picture above indicates Psalm 62 is the secret of unshakable faith. Here’s a quick link to my prior devotional so you can read on Psalm 62 – Quietly Wait.
Let’s pray. Father God, you are full of surprises and blessings. Thank you for always being a step ahead of me giving me the tools and resources I need. Forgive me when I want more than I need or when my desires are self-serving. Help me think like you and to use my eyes to see as you would see. May my faith be unshakable despite any circumstance knowing you will provide the road for me to take if I stay the course. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
