“Reprieve”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, September 19, 2024
Acts 16: 25-40 (Forward, p. 52) CEV p. 1155
The word ‘reprieve’ is most appropriate to this narrative in several ways. Paul, Silas, and their fellow prisoners were granted a reprieve from their imprisonment, at least temporarily, on account of the severe earthquake that shook their prison building to its foundations. The jailer was granted a reprieve from an almost certain death from his superiors, a death by execution, if it had been discovered that he’d allowed his prisoners to escape, especially high security ones like Paul and Silas (see verses 23-24 for details of the thoroughness of their instructions in deciding to incarcerate them). (For evidence of what might well have happened if he was seen as responsible for their escape, see Acts 12:18-19.)
The jailer and his entire family experienced a reprieve of a far different sort, a spiritual reprieve from spiritual hopelessness and despair, and their former allegiance to other gods. And then Paul and Silas gained a reprieve from any further legal action because they were Roman citizens.
All in all, this speaks of God’s capability in intervening, taking action, in situations that seem to be without hope. After all, the prison was as secure a building as one could wish for, and they were securely interned in its deepest recesses. Furthermore, the authorities were under tremendous public opinion to curtail the activities of the disciples, so giving in and letting the disciples go was not a likely option.
What this says to me is that we should never despair or lose hope when situations seem hopeless and incapable of any solution. You never know just what our good Lord will ‘pull off’!
Forward notes: “After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed” (verse 40).
“I’ve always been blessed with wise teachers, mentors, and counselors. Having lived in many cities on my own from a young age, I’ve had to rely on the guidance and understanding of many. Some have come into my life for a season, serving as a weathervane pointing toward a path I could scarcely make out in the distance. Others have remained with me as steady companions, praying for me as I move and grow and find my way.
“One of these weathervanes, who is very dear to me, sends me infrequent but always timely texts and phone calls. When I see a message from her, I know to pay close attention. She may say something simple like, ‘Praying for you. Know that you are loved.’ But this is no random encouragement. Her words and prayers carry weight, and I receive this encouragement as an invitation to reflect and turn my attention toward the One who desires to show me the way.”
Moving Forward: “Wisdom may be hard to find, but it’s easier to spot when we let others remind us where to look and how to find it. Who is pointing you in the direction of wisdom? How will you respond?”