Acts 16:26 ‘Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.’

DAILY READING – •      Mark 2; 2 Samuel 4-5; Daniel 2:24-49

Barnabas Fund is an international Christian charity supporting persecuted Christians suffering because of their faith. They recently gave a report of how a story of tragedy turned into a supernatural rescue for 72 Nigerian Christians.

After capturing these Christians during an attack on their village, Islamic extremists gave them the option of renouncing their faith or face death. The mothers were told to renounce their faith or their children would be executed by the following day. That was when something remarkable happened. The children in the group said the Lord Jesus appeared to them that night and told them “All would be well”. They were told not to fear, that He would protect them, and that they should not renounce Him but stay strong knowing that “He is the way, the truth, and the life.”

The next morning, the terrorists lined the children against a wall and told the mothers they could save their kids if they would only renounce Jesus Christ. The mothers refused. As the extremists prepared to fire, something strange happened. Suddenly they dropped their rifles and started to grab at their heads, screaming and shouting “Snakes! Snakes!” Some of them ran off, while others dropped dead where they stood.

As one of the Christian men attempted to pick up the rifle in order to fire at the fleeing terrorists, he stopped when a four-year-old child told him about angels who were protecting them. “You don’t need to do that. Can you not see the men in white fighting for us?”

The lives of all 72 Christians were spared and they have relocated to a safer region of Nigeria.

Indeed we serve the God of sudden interventions. Those times it appears to be over, and there seems to be no way out, that is when God suddenly arises for the deliverance of His people. God is never late. When it seems we can’t see Him working, He is actually setting the stage for a divine intervention. And then, at the perfect moment, He suddenly acts in ways we never expected and that changes the picture dramatically and completely. Even where it seems everything has tightened up, and all doors closed, God’s power can cause an earthquake and break the prison doors.

In Acts chapter 16, God moved suddenly for the rescue of Paul and Silas. They were locked up, beaten up, not knowing what next would befall them.  Acts 16:26 says ‘Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.’

When it seemed all hope was lost divine help suddenly arose for Paul and Silas. Indeed God is able to make a way where there seems to be no way. Sometimes we may not know how strong our God is until we are faced with strong battles.  In Judges 15:14-17, the anointing became strongest on Samson when the Philistines shouted the loudest on him. God arises to scatter His enemies, when they have gathered. [Ps.66:1]

There is nothing too hard for God. There is no situation He cannot handle for us. No matter what challenges you may be faced with today, always remember that you serve the God who does mind blowing things. And surely by His grace, every test shall be turned to a testimony for you, and the story for you  all through this year shall only be from glory to glory.

To be constantly connected to divine help let us therefore keep the fire burning on our altar of prayer and praise. Indeed God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine.

If He could stop the sun for Joshua and part the red sea for Moses, certainly He can turn any situation around for you today.

PRAYER: Lord, I continually need Your help to win the battles that comes my way. Indeed through You I can do all things. Thank You Lord for being my ever present help at every time of need in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you – WORDBITE 222.