Acts 16:34

New International Version

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.

For Encouragement

It was an ordinary day for this Philippian jailer. Everything in his household and job went well, but not so in the city. News about some public disturbances was sketchy, but as an astute administrator of the public jail, he sensed something coming his way soon, and he was right.

The court had sat on a case brought by a mob against two Jewish men—Paul and Silas. Despite the lack of evidence, the magistrates ordered their flogging and incarceration.

The jailer had his order: “guard them carefully.” He knew the force of the order and the penalty should the men escape. So, he locked Paul and his team in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks (24). He went home and went to sleep, congratulating himself for a well-done job.

Just like this jailer, we all wake up and go through the same motions throughout the day: working, attending meetings, making calls, sending emails, scrolling through social media, and so on. Our To-Do List flows out of a carefully planned day, and you know who is going to do what, but which of us knows what God is doing in His world? Do we know what He has planned for us and how our day is going to end?

The Philippian jailer didn’t know the divine thunderbolt that would hit him at midnight when he received Paul and Silas. Though battered, bruised, and bleeding for doing their Master’s work, they rejoiced and turned the jailhouse into an all-night praise and worship festival. How could the other prisoners sleep? But there was more to come.

At the stroke of midnight, heaven caused a violent earthquake that directly affected the prison. The doors flew open, and the prisoners’ chains came loose. The jailer woke up to the frightening sight of opened doors. How could any prisoner still be there? It’s better to die on the blade of his sword than to suffer public humiliation and official death.

Don’t harm yourself! We are all here; a voice came from the prison.

Extraordinary! What kind of prisoners are they?

The jailer’s interest in the men through whom Lydia and others had been saved rose.

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household, Paul said.

Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and his household. They all believed, got baptized, and rejoiced in being welcomed into God’s family of believers in Jesus Christ.

What a day!

If you ever thought your salvation came to you without the outworking of God’s plan for your life, think again. See how God loves you and how far He went to bring you into His sheepfold. It may have been less dramatic than the jailer’s own, yet it was with equal divine work of grace. So, why should you deny Him your sacrificed self and praise?

And for you, the messenger, rejoice in your affliction, for you know not what the Lord has planned to do with it to glorify Himself. Praise Him even at midnight and rejoice that He has counted you worthy to suffer for His name. Glory awaits you with your reward—the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:6-8).