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God opens prison doors!

Scripture reading for May 5th: 1st Samuel 23-24, 1st Chronicles 6, Psalm 54, Acts 16

Acts 16:22-26 “The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”

Paul and Silas were following the Lord in preaching the Gospel and casting out evil spirits. They had encountered a slave girl with a spirit of divination who was tormenting them. They cast out the spirit and her owners seized Paul and Silas and had them severely beaten and imprisoned. Paul and Silas were placed in the most secure area in stocks and must have had much pain. But they prayed and sang hymns of praise to God loud enough for all the jail to hear. Suddenly, God sent an earthquake that shook the prison in an amazing way. Doors were opened and shackles were loosed! But greater doors were also opened–the jailer and his whole household were saved and delivered from Satan’s grip! God’s ‘revenge’ is to take back captives for His kingdom and glory!

Psalm 54:3-5 “For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. (Selah) Behold, God is my Helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in Your faithfulness put an end to them.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing mercy and ability to turn what is meant for evil around to bring salvation and great good! You are a good, good Father! Help me to remain faithful in each trial and to hear Your voice to bring about Your plans for deliverance and opening of prison doors! Keep me from an offended and vengeful spirit.

1st Samuel 24:12-13 “I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.”