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Acts 16:16-31
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and 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 bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Palm Trees and Blue Skies | Phoenix, AZ | February 2024I’ve been watching Wicked Tuna, a TV series about tuna fishermen on the Outer Banks. Some of these beasts weigh as much as 500 dressed. Some of them bring $22 per pound. Do the math; a big fish and a good price can bring $10,000. That’s real money. Even when they have one on the hook, it’s not assured that they will land these giants. Once they have successfully landed the tuna they must keep it safe and well cared for. Otherwise their payday will be greatly diminished. There’s a huge difference between $22 and $9 per pound – especially for a 400 pound fish!
When Paul and Silas are thrown into prison, they were instructed to keep them safe. But it wasn’t so that they could be paid top dollar for their catch. I suspect they were to be kept safe for other self-serving reasons. Maybe it was so that they were able to maintain the peace and avoid a riot. Could be that they would get in trouble from the higher-ups if a prisoner was harmed. Or it might be that keeping them safe meant keeping them from escaping.
But when it comes to man’s plans and God’s prerogatives, God always wins. Keeping these servants of the Most High God safe and engaged is vital to the success of God’s mission to seek and save the lost. But the mission in this case is not only out there. It is about to be in there, as inside the jail, not outside.
All this makes me think of how and why God keeps us safe. It’s not always just for our convenience. And although I’m sure Paul and Silas were glad no longer to be in prison, their release was not only for their benefit. It opens the door for the jailer and his family to encounter the grace of God. It provides them with the opportunity to witness to their fellow prisoners.
Diane and I have gone on several foreign mission trips. Most of them have been to teach pastors and their spouses about effective ways to expand their work in the Mission of God. Many of these pastors and church leaders are completely committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. They put into practice what they learn about multiplying disciples, leading change in their churches, and doing this with character and integrity. We consider that time well spent.
But we spend much more time and energy pursuing God’s mission right where we are. Thankfully, we’ve been kept safe here and in our mission travels. It is important for us to remember that safety isn’t just so we can live easy lives. So, while thanking God for “quiet and peaceful lives” (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-4), we delight to be part of God’s work in his mission field wherever we may be.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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