The Place of God’s Calling

The men sentenced to the prison house in Philippi had real needs. Some prisoners, perhaps, were cocky and coarse. Others were fearful and timid. But they all faced an uncertain future.

Then, without warning, an earthquake shook the prison with such force that the doors were opened and the chains of the prisoners were unfastened. The natural reaction would have been to escape, but that night, no one moved. Why? These prisoners had been listening to Paul and Silas.

Paul and Silas had come to Philippi after Paul received a vision. They were confident God had called them to Philippi, even after they were jailed. In that jail, they realized they had a captive audience with prisoners “listening to them.”

What did the other prisoners hear? Not complaints or anger, but prayer and “singing hymns of praise to God”(v. 25). This example was so powerful that no prisoners fled after the earthquake. Then the jailer wanted to know how he could be saved.

The Bible makes it clear that God has a plan for your life. He knows where you are, why you’re there, and where He wants you to go. Like Paul and Silas, don’t complain or give in to doubt and uncertainty, but praise Him! Have faith. Pray! Seek Him. And seek to be faithful to His calling for your life.

Look around you. You’ll see people with real needs. Remember that you are in their lives to make a difference, to be God’s witness. Trust in Him. Be confident in His plans. Fill your life with praise, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Point people to Jesus. May your testimony have such impact that others will want to know Him!