They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

 Acts: 16:22-40

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’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!”

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Why?

One more time, Paul and Silas experienced the Holy Spirit working through them. Not only were they released, but also the jailer's household was baptized, and they were filled with joy because they had come to believe in God.

Even Paul and Silas suffered pain and were put in jail, but the Lord rescued them at night with an earthquake and opened the door of the Jail.

When we go through tough, worrisome situations and don't feel that God is with us, we can be assured that He's present with all those whom He loves and who love Him. May this knowledge of His certain presence bring us the comfort and hope we need today.

How?

Believe in Jesus and do the work of the Lord, and miracles and joy will come with us.