Today's Passage - Acts 16:26-30

Acts 16:26-30   Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody'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?"   Paul and Silas were sleepy and exhausted in the prison, so how could they worship God under such circumstance?  They must have been prompted and even driven by God's Spirit, who called them to worship Him.  Worship is not just an expression of emotions, but it's a manifestation of complete surrender.  Paul and Silas obeyed God's calling and surrendered both emotionally and rationally.  Logically speaking, it was irrationally to be worshipping at that time, but Paul and Silas completely surrendered and sang in praise and thanksgiving out of their spirit and truth, and thus all the prisoners listened attentively.  Perhaps it was because the heaven is God's throne and the earth is God's stool, so when God heard such beautiful song of praise and His foot couldn't help but to tap on the floor, the earth and the foundation of the prison were shaken, and all the doors opened.   Actually, the truth miracle in this incident was that after the prison doors were opened and all chains came lose, no prisoner actually escaped.  If you were a prisoner at the time, you must have thought that it was great opportunity to escape.  When the prison guard woke up and saw that all the prison doors were opened, he was going to kill himself because he thought all prisoners must have escaped; Paul, however, assured he was fine because no one actually escaped.  The prisoners could have escaped but didn't because God's presence was among them; it brought such tremendous power that all prisoners felt His presence, became fearful of God and laid down before Him.  Even the prison guard wanted to come before God to be saved.  When God's presence is manifested, people's lives are changed, and that's why we want to praise and worship, because worship brings out the presence and sovereignty of God among us.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because your presence is indeed glorious!  In your presence we can truly be changed by you!  I pray that the spirit of God will come upon brothers and sisters today, so that your presence will be manifested in our lives.  Change us so that our lives may please you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!