What Would I tell the Jailer?

When I was a young boy attending Catholic grade school, I would wonder upon hearing about the martyred saints if I could stand firm in my faith just as I imagined they did. Later in life, and even to this day, I've had similar thoughts when hearing about thousands around the world who are persecuted and martyred for their faith.

I've written before about having what I call "whatever faith", the kind of faith we possess and demonstrate when claiming that "whatever" occurs in life, and "whatever" God expects of us, we will accept and acknowledge it as joyfully as possible, turn our life over to his holy and true will, and proclaim the Almighty is in control.

There are many stories in the Bible about how we should rely on our faith when we face adversity, even death, with "whatever faith". Acts 16:25-34 comes to mind. This passage describes what the Apostle Paul and Silas say to a jailer when God moves, giving them an opportunity to escape their time of adversity in prison.

Upon hearing this passage while riding to work, I wondered what I would say to my jailer if God opened the doors of my cell.

"Exit stage left!" I would be out of there. That's not what Paul and Silas did.

The Prison Doors Open

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, Don’t harm yourself! We are all here! The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.  At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household."

So, what does this passage tells us about facing adversity with "whatever faith" and the consequences of doing so.

Prayer, Praise, and More

First, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. No doubt the hymns they were singing would have also been full of thanksgiving, even thanksgiving for being prisoners for the sake of the Gospel.

Second, they remained calm in their adversity and encouraged the jailer to also remain calm.  "But Paul shouted, Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!"

Third, by their prayer, praise, and giving thanks, in this instance and probably many previous days, God used his mighty right hand to throw open the doors of the prison, offering Paul and Silas the opportunity to escape or show their "whatever faith", thereby bringing the jailer and his household to know the Lord.

Prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and remaining calm with "whatever faith" in times of adversity presents opportunities to acknowledge God is in control, a message that will fill others with joy as they come to believe in God.

Say it. Pray it. Share it.

Lord Jesus, I pray I will have "whatever faith" in good and challenging times in my life. In "whatever" you do in my life. In "whatever" you expect me to do. I pray this in your blessed name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.