And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

Acts 20:7-12

I’m sure it was terrifying to be there, but the outcome of this story is just so amazing and God is so good. Those of us who went to Bible college remember the poor soul who fell asleep in chapel and was called out in front of the whole student body to wake up. Of course, there are many stories of that student being the one who had to work all night long to be able to pay their school bill.

Poor Eutychus! He probably worked himself to death that day. In order to hear Paul preach, he crawled into a window to listen. Between the gasses from the many lights reaching the third floor and Paul’s long preaching (I wouldn’t be able to stay up past midnight), Eutychus fell asleep and then fell down from his window seat and declared dead.

Paul throws himself on him (maybe like Elisha with the Shunammite woman’s son) and a miracle happens as Eutychus’ life is restored. Paul pulls an all-nighter (some scholars say that he had communion with the church, some say Paul just had a snack by himself to refresh himself before travel), and then without sleep, continues his travel.

I’ve heard some sermons and read some commentators rebuking Eutychus for falling asleep during Paul’s sermon. Who among us are above feeling tired and needing sleep? God created us to need rest and food. Without the proper rest and food, we have a difficult time functioning. God used this miracle to also give Paul’s words apostolic authority while allowing Paul to spend the extra time with the believers in Troas to encourage them (imagine the adrenaline rush after that incident).

What has God done in your life with an incident or circumstance that made you just KNOW that God is working His will in your life? Don’t ignore that God is at work! He is, and He is SO good! Nothing, absolutely NOTHING gets by God without Him allowing it. He knows all and sees all and is waiting for you to fully trust Him. Do you?

Written by Kaye Dee Richards. Kaye Dee lives with her husband Colin in Morrison, CO. They have 4 children, Joshua, Amelia, Victoria, and Julia.
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