Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Question: If we were in their shoes, how would we have read and understood that providence coming from God? Would we have understood it to mean a way of escape? Or would we have interpreted it to mean a golden opportunity for witnessing. It all has to do with “Understanding God’s Providences”.
The providences of God are not monolithic in nature by which we mean that just because one situation is similar to another, the purpose, and outcome might not necessarily be the same. It could be on a case by case basis, and as such, we would have to rehearse, and understand the three main ways His providence usually comes down to us. Here they are again:
[1] The instructions which He has provided to us in His written word.
[2] His still small voice spoken to us through His Holy Spirit in our consciences.
[3] The situational evidences which are to help in guiding our decision-making processes.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!