Don't Harm Yourself
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 20 2025 | Acts 16:22-34
KEY VERSE: “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!’” Acts 16:27-28. (NIV)
MESSAGE:
The jailer, faced with what seemed like disaster, nearly ended his own life. Under Roman law, a jailer was personally responsible for the prisoners under his care. If any escaped, the jailer would face the same punishment the prisoners were due—often death, torture, or public disgrace (see Acts 12:19, where Herod had the guards executed after Peter escaped). So when the jailer saw the prison doors wide open after the earthquake, he assumed the prisoners had fled. Overcome by fear of the severe consequences awaiting him, he decided to take his own life with his sword rather than face the shame and brutal punishment that would follow. This makes Paul’s cry, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:28), incredibly powerful.
Today’s devotion conveys some important lessons to us. Despair often blinds people to God’s purpose. The jailer thought the open prison doors meant failure and shame, but God was setting the stage for his salvation. In your darkest moment, don’t rush to hopeless conclusions - God may be preparing a greater testimony for you. Again, we learn that the gospel brings hope where there is none. Paul’s words, “Don’t harm yourself,” echo Jesus Christ’s heart for the broken. Jesus came to give life, not to destroy it (John 10:10). In Jesus Christ, there is always a way forward, no matter how desperate the situation may be. Finally, the devotion teaches us that God’s people are called to be voices of life. Paul’s timely cry saved the jailer’s life. Likewise, believers are called to speak hope into the lives of those who are despairing. Our words and actions may be the very thing that stops someone from giving up.
Many today, overwhelmed by guilt, fear, failure, or hopelessness, are tempted to give up. But the gospel speaks the same word to us: Don’t harm yourself - there is hope in Jesus Christ!
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Where in your life are you tempted to despair? Pause and listen for God’s voice saying, “Don’t harm yourself - I am still at work.” When despair whispers to give up, Jesus Christ speaks life - reminding us that His hope is greater than our pain, and His presence can turn crisis into salvation.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the God of hope in my darkest moments. Help me not to give in to despair but to trust that You are always at work. Make me sensitive to those around me who are hurting, and give me courage to speak words of life and hope. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 263: Isaiah 18–23 — More Oracles Against Nations
DAILY word study: HARM The Greek word for “harm” (kakoseō) means to injure, mistreat, or bring evil. Elsewhere in Scripture, it describes Israel’s suffering in Egypt (Acts 7:6) and human evil opposed to God’s purposes (Genesis 50:20, LXX). In Greco-Roman culture, suicide was sometimes viewed as a way to preserve honour when defeat seemed certain. Against this backdrop, Paul’s cry — “Don’t harm yourself!” — is deeply countercultural. God’s way is not self-destruction but new life through Christ.
Reflect on This:
Do you see how quickly despair can push us toward harm? God’s Word interrupts with hope and calls us to live.
Comments