Do you think about the work of the Holy Spirit very often? Do you know exactly what he does? As part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is always working. He was already busy at creation and even today he creates new life.

But he is also busy in our hearts. He is the one who makes us serve and love the Lord. If it were not for the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we would not love the Lord at all.

In this Bible passage, we see some of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. Paul and Silas were in prison. They were there because they had been preaching about the Lord Jesus, and the people who did not like their preaching sent them to prison.

And while they were in this horrible prison cell, instead of being sad and angry, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. All the other prisoners were listening to them. Then suddenly God caused a great earthquake to shake the ground. This earthquake did not break down the walls of the prison, but it opened the doors and shook the chains off the arms of the prisoners. The prisoners, including Paul and Silas, could all have escaped.

When the jailer saw that all the doors had been opened, he assumed that the prisoners had all escaped and thought it was his fault. And so, he was about to kill himself. But Paul called out to him to let him know that no one had escaped, but that they were all still in prison.

When the jailer heard this, he was amazed. He fell at Paul and Silas’ feet asking, “What must I do to be saved.” And this is where we see the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. This jailer, who did not love the Lord at all, listened to the words of Paul and believed in the Lord Jesus. The Spirit changed his wicked heart to make him love the Lord. And in the same way the Spirit changes our wicked hearts to make us love the Lord as well.

Reflection with your child:

What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?

Source: Sermon by Rev. H. Alkema