To me, earthquakes seem like one of the most terrifying things a person could live through. I’ve only been out to California twice, and both times believe you me I was praying not to get crushed in an earthquake! The mere thought is frightening!
Granted, North Carolina gets slammed by hurricanes every now and then. So, maybe its all in what you’ve grown accustomed to. Anyway, back to earthquakes. If the earth were to tremble beneath your feet at a magnitude of great force, you would be at least a little shook up, even if you were used to tremors.
When God wants to get a point across, sometimes He speaks through natural occurrences other times entirely supernaturally. He is the God who speaks calm in the midst of the storm. He is the God before whom one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. So, sometimes, a great earthquake accompanies the message. (Remember the crucifixion)
Well, in Acts 17, Paul and Silas are famously in jail, but not disheartened. They prayed and sang praise to the Lord (Acts 17:25) and they were witnesses by that action. Other prisoners listened to them and undoubtedly were touched by the strength Paul and Silas demonstrated by not letting any amount of persecution cause them fear or discouragment.
As they sang, there was a breakthrough. Acts 17:26 tells us that “Suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.”
That’s power, y’all. That is power.
God works in specific ways at specific times for specific purposes. He has a specific purpose for your life, too.
Maybe you need an earthquake of sorts to occur in your life to bring about a necessary change. Earthquakes occur without warning. The best laid disaster plans cannot prepare a city for a huge earthquake.
In the middle of that earthquake, God can be your refuge and your strength, your strong tower of protection.
If an earthquake seems to have just shaken up your life, do not be troubled. See the opportunity in it all. It can be really hard to find joy in pain, but if you trust in God, there is joy to be found.
After the great earthquake, the one responsible for holding Paul and Silas prisoners – the jailer – was about to commit suicide because he was afraid that Paul and Silas had escaped.
Who or what is holding you prisoner? The power of the Holy Spirit can break those chains that bind your heart.
The jailer trembled with fear and fell down before Paul and Silas and asked a critical question:
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 17:30)
Are you ready to ask that same question? There are so many religious doctrines and it can be really hard to figure out who to trust? But this is the critical question that you must ask. Here at Raveh Church, we can help you discern what is the right answer to that life or death question. It is laid out plainly in Acts 17 verse 31:
Paul and Silas said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The answer is not running away. The answer isn’t drugs. The answer is certainly not suicide. The jailer didn’t end up killing himself, he ended up accepting the Truth that Jesus is Lord.
Afterward, the Bible records that Paul and Silas shared the Word of God with them there in the home. Right now, until our church grows larger, we are a house church. We model it after the house churches in the book of Acts, believing that God has a special blessing for those ministries that meet and fellowship in homes. The home is a place of welcome and of security. You are welcome to join us.
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your household may not all agree with your decision. They may call you crazy. Trust in the unfailing Word of God, His promises are sure. When you believe in Jesus and trust in Him with all your heart, pray: you will see that your household will be saved as well.
We’d like to invite you to make a decision today to follow Jesus. If you would like to talk about your spiritual journey, you are welcome to call us at 919-439-3342, send us an email pastors.raveh@gmail.com or visit us on Mondays or Thursdays at 7pm.
Do not get caught up in the earthquake: be set free.
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