26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
God sovereignly intervenes in the plight of the apostles by an earthquake (Acts 16:26-27).
16:26
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
A supernatural event occurred during the gospel team’s time of worship. A massive earthquake hit the prison where Paul and Silas were jailed. The event loosened the prisoners’ chains and opened the prison doors.
16:27
And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
The Roman jailor was responsible for his prisoners. If he failed, he would be executed by the Roman government.
16:28
But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Paul called out to the jailor not to commit suicide because the prisoners had not escaped.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s providence works in ways beyond our knowledge.
APPLICATION:
God’s sovereign care of each individual goes infinitely beyond the knowledge of every individual. That is why we can “cast our anxiety upon Him” (1 Pe 5:7). We can trust God’s care beyond our present understanding.
