Showing CompassionWhen They Don’t Deserve It

Acts 16: 28-30 ESV
“But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”  And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.  Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

We have talked for years about how God used Paul and Silas to minister to even the lowest of the low in the bottom of the jail house, beaten, bruised and wore out. Little do we speak of revenge verses forgiveness.

As the Lord delivered Paul and Silas one dark night in the dungeon, God shook the earth. The earth quake hit and opened up all the doors of the prison. The shackles then fell off their hands and feet and they did not think escape, no they thought to minister. That night as they sat on the cold floor of the bottom of the prison, singing songs and hymns, the people in the prison were listening.

I’m sure many were thinking that Paul and Silas were crazy for singing while suffering (a lesson for another day), but God was in the room. As they sang, God shook the prison and they were now free to escape, but Paul shouted out to the jailer that was about to kill himself, “we are all here.” If the prisoners had escaped, even one, the jailer would have been judged and killed as a penalty for allowing an escape.

Revenge could have come to mind, retaliation may even have been a thought, but judgment is not in our hands, that belongs to the Lord. Paul and Silas offered instead of revenge, forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. I’m sure that dark night it was more than just the jailer and his household that were saved, I’m sure many in the prison were saved as well.

Paul and Silas had a clear directive to follow God, help, heal, restore, rebuild and offer the good news. The choice is up to us all, revenge or forgiveness, what will your witness be?

Prayer:
Lord, I’m not sure what I would have done, if I was in the place of Paul and Silas, but I pray that my character would be that of their character, win the soul, let God take care of the rest.