Has believing in Jesus brought you joy?

And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. Acts 16:34

Wonder-Working God,

Help us to see ourselves in this Philippian jailer! 

Likely a Roman citizen, 

trained to bow down to the emperor (what did we bow down to before you?), 

he obeyed the order to unjustly imprison Paul and Silas, 

chaining them by their feet in the maximum security prison 

“to keep them safely” (Acts 16:23-24). 

We wonder, author God, did he sneer in contempt 

as Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to you (Acts 16:25)? 

And then, when you sent the earthquake, 

and the prison doors flew open, 

what terror he felt as he anticipated 

being sent to his death by his superiors 

for letting the prisoners escape. 

He drew his sword, 

prepared to take his own life 

rather than to endure the beating 

and death sentence to come. 

But Paul cried out, “We’re all here” (Acts 16:27-28). 

Why, God, was the jailer’s first response 

to fall down trembling with fear, 

and asking, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). 

Oh, Lord, may the jailer’s response 

remind us of seasons 

when we desperately needed to know 

what we must do to be saved. 

May the jailer’s response remind us 

of how you invited us, 

“Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved….” (Acts 16:31). 

And then, as we remember your mercy and grace, 

how you saved us out of a desperate time, 

may we join the jailer in rejoicing 

(even though he might have lost his job 

for taking prisoners into his home), 

rejoicing that by your grace, 

we have believed in you! 

What great good news this is, 

today and every day!

Amen. 

Read Acts 16:23-34

Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage is a gospel life and legacy coach, author, and speaker. She helps people live, prepare, and share their legacy to bring hope to future generations. Elizabeth co-founded the Numbering Your Days Network to share gospel encouragement for aging, caregiving, legacy, grief, and end-of-life and wrote Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions about Living and Dying in the Hope of Heaven. Elizabeth and her husband Kip enjoy feasting and sharing good stories with their large family of four adult children, four children-in-law, and six young grandchildren. Learn more at www.elizabethturnage.com

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Books by Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage:

Whether you are thecaregiver or the patient, the “what-if’s” of the waiting room can feel terrifying, and the wait can feel agonizing. Cancer, tumor, stroke, traumatic injury, or major surgery—a health crisis of any kind involves waiting. This waiting arouses many emotions: fear, uncertainty, sorrow, agony, and anger among them. In this devotional for caregivers and patients, Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage reminds us of the certain hope and surpassing peace of the gospel: God has worked miraculous deeds and redemptive wonders in the past, and Jesus will “soon” come again to end our wait, and to bring full and final healing. These sixty meditations for peace and hope will encourage you as you wait.