The Extent To Which God Will Go To Save Somone

This morning I was reading from Acts 16: 16-36, how Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for setting a woman free from a spirit.  In particular I was interested in verses 25-32 which reads:


 "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.

I was thinking about how it was interesting that God caused the doors to open and chains fall off Paul and Silas, but not so they could escape.  Rather it seems that this was done so that the Jailer might recognize God's sovereignty and be saved, along with his whole household.  I come to this conclusion since God had rescued Peter from prison earlier, and just walked him out of Prison.  In this case He left Paul and Silas there, so they could minister salvation to the Jailer and His family.  In addition, Paul and Silas were actually set free from Prison the following morning - so the earthquake and doors opening, and chains falling off was completely unnecessary.  This leaves me to conclude that God went to those lengths so that this one family might be saved!  Amazing!  His love for us is beyond understanding and comparison!

It is also a good reminder to those of us who walk with the Lord to look for these types of opportunities in the midst of our own struggles and difficulties! I haven't been beaten and thrown in prison, but I would imagine I would normally be thinking about my own situation, but Paul and Silas were praying and ministering in song to those around them, and aware that God was about doing something more than just freeing them.

Thank You for Your amazing Love God!  Help me to be a true witness to this Love, regardless of my own circumstances!