Fling the Doors Wide Open

Read:   Acts16:22-26

The theme for this week’s devotions has been “Ask, Seek, Knock.”

Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Today’s story finds Paul and Silas in prison praying. 

In the town of Philippi in Eastern Macedonia, while they were on their way to the house of prayer, they passed by a slave girl.  This slave girl was used by her owners to make money from her ability to foretell the future.  

For several days, each time Paul and Silas passed by, she shouted out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 

Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her, and the spirit left her.  Her owners were furious, seeing that they no longer had the ability to make money from her.  They made false accusations against Paul and Silas, stirred up the whole crowd and the authorities against them.  Paul and Silas were striped, beaten with rods, and thrown into prison.  They were place in the most secure inner cell with shackles placed on their feet.

How did Paul and Silas react?  They prayed and sang hymns to God.  What do you suppose they were saying in their prayers?

I am sure they asked! Perhaps they were asking, “Why Lord, why have these things happened to us?  We are doing what you asked us to do?”  Perhaps they were asking, “Please rescue us from this situation, Lord!” 

As they were lifting their voices in prayer and song, I am sure they were also seeking.  “Lord, what are You up to here? We know You are good, You are Almighty, and You have called us to this time and place.  We don’t understand, we don’t know why we are here, but we trust You.”   

I am not sure they anticipated what God was going to go next, but they kept knocking on the door of God’s plan, waiting for Him to open it and reveal to them their next steps of faith. 

And God caused those prison doors to fly open that day.  The hearts of the prisoner and the jailer were flung wide open to the message of Jesus that Paul and Silas shared that day. 

What about you?  During your darkest moments when you feel shackled and imprisoned, are you asking, “What are You up to God?”   

Are you seeking?  "Where are You, my Good, Good Father? Show me how Your plan is unfolding?  I am seeking You so I can follow You through this dark place." 

Are you persistently knocking?  "Lord, I know that You will fling wide open the doors of hope and rescue into my life and in the lives of those I love.  I am ready and waiting for those doors to open."