Along About Midnight
I've never been beaten or put in prison for sharing the Gospel, but there are places in the world today, where that still happens. What would we do if we found ourselves in that situation?
Paul and Silas were sharing the Gospel, and on their way to a prayer meeting, when a series of events got them severely beaten and thrown in jail, and chained so there was no chance of escape. Guess what they did? Acts 16:25-26 from The Message tells us. "Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose."
More amazing than an earthquake that sprung open every door in the jail.... no one left their cells! That must've been some worship service Paul and Silas were leading! Notice that their praises to God went up while they were still chained to the walls and behind prison doors. The guys certainly didn't know how God was going to do it. They just knew that in ALL circumstances they were going to praise God. And so they did. Acts 16 goes on to tell how the jailer and his household were saved and baptized that very night.
I have to think that their heart of praise to God BEFORE the answer came, before the rescuer arrived was the sweetest sound to our Father. Today, before your answer arrives, for that challenge that is ahead of you, would you let your praise ring out to the heavens? Let's tell God with our 'praise before the answer comes' that we trust Him and we're grateful that He's right here with us.
Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
https://deniseharper.blog
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