Acts 16:25 (NKJV) 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
There is so much we can learn from this verse.
Let us break this down and see what we can gleam from it as we start our Monday!
Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for speaking the name of Jesus and casting a demon from a local slave girl.
The owners of the slave girl were furious with Paul for ordering the demon to leave her.
In their anger, they had Paul and Silas arrested, severely beaten, and thrown into the deepest part of the prison, with their feet secured in stocks.
Knowing this, we need to look closely at what the word says in the verse above.
It was midnight. And not only was it night, but with Paul and Silas being in the inner part of the prison, it was darker than normal.
Their backs were raw from the flogging they had suffered. Their feet were locked in stocks. And guards were posted to be sure they stayed put.
As midnight came, Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God in the darkness.
And what else does the word say? The prisoners were listening!
Paul and Silas could have been crying and asking God why this had happened. But they chose to sing and pray, giving God glory in their moment of extreme agony and discomfort.
So, the question for us is, what would we do in a situation like this?
Do we praise God only when things are good for us, and we can feel His presence strongly?
Do we have what it takes to praise Him when the world is crashing down around us and we are facing life’s strongest storms and trials?
Or do we trust Him only when life is easy, and there seems to be no need for us to lean on Him?
We may quickly answer this and proclaim that we would absolutely do what Paul and Silas did. But when the rubber meets the road, what would we really do?
Let us seek God on this and ask Him to give us the faith, the strength, and the trust in Him to push through the discomfort and lift our hands to Him, speaking His praises for others to hear, bringing Him glory and honor even in our most difficult moments, that those who are listening will see Him also.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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