22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:22-24 (NLT)
Have you ever found yourself preparing for a new chapter in life? Did you expect that it would be great? For the Believer, it may have been something God led you to do; perhaps this would be a good thing to do for God, for church, for your family… But then nothing came together easily, or worse, everything fell apart.
Perhaps this is how Paul and Silas are feeling right now. This is their first trip to go out and spread the Gospel of Jesus and His death and resurrection. Look where it lands them! They are surrounded by an angry mob, stripped out of their clothes like criminals and intensely beaten with rods, tossed into the highest security prison with a jailer watching over them and feet locked in stocks to torture them further.
IT’S EASY TO BELIEVE AT TIMES THAT GOD ISN’T FOR US, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT KNOWING THE “WHY.”
I imagine Paul and Silas thinking, “Why God, Why?” Maybe they were reconsidering their new career choices. Maybe they were scared and intimidated? Scripture proves they were convinced of God’s love and care that they continued to trust Him through despite the very horrific start. Even all this didn’t move Paul or Silas away from trusting God.
What about you? Have you ever wanted to quit something before you really got started? Did you measure the cost and determine you weren’t willing to pay the price? You are not alone. I am sure there are countless books not written, songs left unsung, business dreams never launched because the fear of stepping out was great or the first step out was disastrous.
But God…He is bigger than any setback. God will set you up for comeback when you commit your plan to His plans and see it through.
Reflect:
What stands out to you in this devotional?
What truth about God can you apply to your life?
What story do you want to tell about your adventure with God?
How is your faith strengthened by God’s faithfulness?