Amazing Grace - PART 45

At midnight, Paul and Silas, who were imprisoned at the time, lifted up their voices in songs of praise. Their collective thanksgiving was directed toward the Lord, who brought them into a new life that the unbelieving world denied. Within this new life, God had removed the scales of unbelief from their eyes. Now, as believers, Paul and Silas could see and know assuredly that He was watching over them

How did they know? Well, first the two recognized that their Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps. Indeed, the Lord sings along with His people. And, in actual fact, the Lord is the theme of their song. When on earth, Jesus said that a day would come when believers would no longer worship only in Jerusalem, but that true worshippers would worship in the Spirit of truth. We witness these same world-wide blessings today.

Often, when one awakens from night sleep, he or she is aware that music and singing is already filling their inner Spirit. In many cases, this music can be likened to a full orchestra, complete with musicians and a choir. The music filling our hearts and minds and doing exceedingly well without our two cents contribution. Sometimes, the music is so engaging that we cannot do any thing except sing along to the beat. All of this happens without our conscious programming.

Just like the prodigal son, who, upon returning home from his wayward journey, heard the sound of music and dancing off in the distance. And to his amazement their was no admission charge included in the "welcome home" party.  Why? Because the admission fee was already paid in full. If the world only knew of the goodness of God, and the unexpected blessings about to be bestowed on Paul and Silas.

At midnight, the pair lifted their voices to their Lord. In so doing, their song did not just hit the prison walls and bounce back. No, something else happened. Remember the scriptures that state that God works in mysterious ways?  Here is a prime example. There was yet another individual in prison -- the jailer. Unbeknownst to Paul and Silas or the other prisoners, God had arranged an appointment with the jailer beforehand - perhaps, special visiting hours -- although this individual had no inclination that salvation was about to come to his household.

Well, the singing and the praying continued throughout the night. All the prisoners listened because like it or not, Paul and Silas were having church. And church it was. The two were engaged and singing hymns because they knew that "where two or three are gathered together to worship Jesus, there Jesus will be in their midst." But guess what happened.

God turned up. Something like Forest Gump did in the movie. But Gump's entrance didn't even begin to compare to this experience. That is because God is so full of surprises. His actions are not predictable according the wisdom of human thinking. "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been His counsellor?"

Still, just like the sequence of events that transpired in Acts chapter 2, a miracle was about to occur. In this case, a violent earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors that imprisoned Paul and Silas flew open simultaneously, releasing the chained and fettered hands of prisoners. The jailer, startled out of his sleep, was petrified. His eyes popping wide open as he beheld that the cells were all open. He became scared at the thought of punishment or worse, the fate that would be determined when the powers that be arrived and found the cells empty.

The jail guard drew his sword, figuring that he may as well end life now. Sooner rather than later, he thought, fully intending to end his life. Paul, viewing the jail guard's actions shouted aloud at the top of his voice, "Do yourself no harm," he said. The jailer who was by this time trembling terror stricken approached Paul and Silas. The jailer asked, "Men, what is necessary for me to do to be saved?" He was told to believe in and on the Lord Jesus the Christ. That is, to give himself up to the Lord God who created him and then lay down His life for him.

In other words, God is speaking the same message to you this day. Take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping, and you will be saved. Like the jail guard, this message of salvation also applies to them within your household.  When Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to the jail guard, Paul and Silas then went on to baptize the jailer and members of his household by immersion and without delay.

As a consequence, the jailer and his household rejoiced because both he and all his household had come to believe in God. Acts 16 provides an account of these events. The message here is simple. If you are seeking after God and the preacher has long time ago forsaken the preaching of the true gospel, then maybe you are fortunate enough to still have some of the old hymnals available.  May I suggest that you digest the words of the hymnals, the words that were penned by believers of an earlier age, and let the atmosphere of their words take root in your heart. Most of all, accept Jesus into your life and be saved so that you too can be awakened out of a deep sleep singing "Rock of Ages."

Remember God is full of surprises that reach beyond the comprehension and understanding of human intellect. Amazing grace and God's salvation are just two. Both can be yours for the asking. Stand in the offering plate.