The Second Chance

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Acts 16:25-34

We have heard of how Paul and Silas were singing in the prison and praying, and the prison gates were opened. Now let us not focus on them but on the prison guard, a minority among many, the one who was supposedly guarding the men of God from escaping.

The prison guard was obviously not doing his job well because he was sleeping. It was a job to him, nothing more. And the instructions were clear, “Guard the prison. If a prisoner escapes, you will be punished.” So when the prison doors were opened, he awoke from sleep and supposing that the prison doors opened a long time ago, he felt in himself a sense of failure.

In life, we do and we fail, and sometimes the failure becomes unbearable. Like the prison guard, there are times when we fall so hard that we would rather die. But if grace could come upon the prison guard, it could also come to you. Paul and Silas stopped him from killing himself and told him how to be saved. The second chance that was given to the prison guard would be given to each and everyone of us who has fallen and is being picked up by the Lord. This second chance is given to everyone, whether you are minority or you are despised or even the richest person, we all do not deserve it but were given that chance.

The prison guard took what was offered to him and it changed him and his family. The second chance at work is miraculous. It heals a person and changes them.
Ever wondered why Paul and Silas did not just flee the prison? Or why the other prisoners didn’t flee as well? Paul and Silas had a good reason – to preach the gospel. But what did the other prisoners have to stay in their cells?

Now this passage goes to speak about how important the soul of one prison guard is more important than the life of a minister or an apostle or a man of God. If we do and obey what God wills for us even if it goes against the most common logic, He will always provide a way out for us. Paul and Silas knew that, and they were not afraid to stay a little longer in prison to save the life and soul of this man.

The other prisoners, well all I can say is that they had their chance to escape but God was working so they had to stay as well.