Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Acts 16:16-34 (NIV)
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 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. 27 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. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 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.
In what ways did Paul and Silas pay the price in following God (Christ)?
Holy God, so much in life is unfair. It is hard for me to tolerate rude behavior toward me when I did nothing to deserve it. I am impatient and frustrated when I am uncomfortable for even a little while. I can’t imagine being stripped and beaten for sharing the Gospel, being thrown in prison and still joyfully singing praises. When the doors opened and the shackles miraculously fell off their feet, Paul and Silas didn’t run from danger but continued to share their faith. Lord, I understand that my attitude when life is unfair and my response to tough conditions is the best witness to my trust and faith in You. I also know that I often fail and need Your help. It is in those situations, just like in that jail, where unbelievers recognize Your great power. Allow my character to attract not distract others toward you in all situations, positive and negative, every day. In Your precious name. Amen