Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that feel somewhat like being imprisoned. Whether it is a financial crisis, relationship issues, worry and anxiety over the future of our country and world; it can feel like we are imprisoned.
The bars are not there. No keys to lock us in or open the doors. We are confined by circumstances. Our mind keeps us pacing back and forth, over the same issues. It steals our peace.
How is it that believers allow ourselves to be imprisoned instead of free and thriving? We have the keys. We may be or feel that we are locked in a cell. We are free when Jesus is our Lord.
Paul once hunted down Christians and either had them killed or imprisoned. He repented and received Jesus as his Savior after a blinding trip, down the road to Damascus. Now he goes about preaching about the Messiah who came to save the world. About Jesus. He is now the hunted. He sits in a dirty, dark cell with fellow believer Silas.
It is midnight. When we are troubled, don’t we often find it hard to rest? We may even “walk the floor” brooding over our situation. We may sit at the table figuring and re-figuring how all our obligations are going to be paid. Worry usually visits when darkness falls.
Paul and Silas came to Philippi preaching the good news of Christ. They are seized and taken before the magistrates and accused of interfering with commerce. Causing too much of a stir. Taking the minds of people off of their duties. Beatings with the rod are ordered and imprisonment with shackles is their fate.
It is cold and dark. Paul and Silas are awake. They are not brooding. They are praying and singing hymns of praise to God! They could be fretting and afraid but they are worshipping the One they have put their trust in. They don’t know how, but they certainly know who, will set them free, from the prison they find themselves in.
There are other prisoners there, listening. Suddenly, the earth quakes, their shackles release and the doors to their cells open. Not just for Paul and Silas, but for all. They do not flee their cells. They stay right where they are. Paul and Silas lead the guard to Christ. Trust in God is what keeps us in our place until God moves us.
~Thought For Today~
We can learn a good bit from Paul and Silas. They are severely beaten. They are shackled. They don’t know what the future holds. But, they will pray and sing anyway.
When trouble visits we should do the same. They had prisoners in the cells around them. They were listening to the prayers and hymns. I would expect that Paul and Silas gave them comfort and a bit of peace as they handled this situation. We have observers to our situations. They can be children, grandchildren, spouses, or friends. We are surrounded by witnesses. We should pray and sing praises until our cells open and our shackles fall away too.
We are to be the likeness of Christ to the world. The lights of Christ. He bravely met the cross with courage and confidence that His Father was in control and would bring Him through. We must do the same. In spite of what we find ourselves in, we can pray and sing anyway.
~Scripture For Today~
Acts 16:25-26
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Father we desire the ability to pray and sing in the darkest of hours. We pray that we react to trouble as Paul and Silas. That we are prepared to witness to others that our strength and tenacity comes from God. Thank You that You stay with us through all things. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.