Session 16

Are you willing to do whatever it takes?

From Acts: A 28-Day Devotional

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Paul and Silas go to jail for healing a girl possessed by demons. Instead of panicking, they sing. Prison doors fly open, and chains come loose. Paul and Silas are freed, and the jailer puts his faith in God.

Finding people far from God was Paul’s primary ambition. As we’ve seen in previous chapters, Paul was obedient to this mission no matter the cost. Paul followed the Spirit’s lead wherever he needed to go, even if that meant prison.

After freeing a girl from an evil spirit, Paul is persecuted again. This time, he’s publicly humiliated in his home country, flogged and imprisoned. Most of us would want to shout out, “Wait, I’m a citizen! What do you think you are doing?” And, in prison, I’m sure we wouldn’t be singing hymns and praying — unless it was praying for a quick way out.

Through Paul and Silas’ imprisonment, a whole family came to know Jesus as their Savior! Because Paul was obedient and faithful, he got to see God change hearts. Are we willing to get uncomfortable to see others come to know Jesus?

Reflect:

• What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you?
• We all experience hardships. Think about the difficult times you have experienced. How have you seen God bring good things out of bad situations?
• Are you willing to do whatever it takes to reach friends and family with the truth? What does that look like for you?