Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Here again is the issue of reading God’s providences correctly for if you were to be arrested for preaching present truth, and you were to pray to The Lord God in your jail cell, and then, all of a sudden, a mighty earthquake shakes down the entire place, and every inmate’s chains are broken miraculously, it might seem to be conclusive evidence that God has made a way of escape for you. What would you do in such a situation, and what would be your interpretation of such a providence?
Should you rise to the opportunity and make your escape, or would you wait for specific direction from God, even though the evidences may seem to be a no brainer?…. Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Why would Paul and Silas not seize what seems to be the golden opportunity? Why would they just sit and wait, when to all appearances it seems as if God is telling them through His providences to make a run for it? The fact is that they must wait on God for directions and instruction, even when in difficult or in an unfair circumstance and therefore, until God says run, they are to stay put, even though His providences might seem to indicate otherwise.
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.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!