Text: Act 16:20-26
KJV: And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21
KJV:vAnd teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22
KJV: And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23
KJV :And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24
KJV: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25
KJV: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26
KJV: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Verse 25 is the main subject of the matter.
Actually, Paul and Silas were partners in ministry, they have beforehand preached the gospel and perform miracles.
Through them:-
Lydia was converted
The damsel possessed with devils as been delivered.
The magistrate took them up, jailed them, and instead of them wearing sadness and sorrow, they were fully happy to be counted worthy of suffering. In the course of the suffering, they praise God and they were appreciative. Hmmmmmmmm, to a mortal man.
How can that be? Praising God while in distress, is it even possible ??? Though seems to be impossible and difficult, but Paul and Silas did.
As believers, we must know that when prayers are been made, when fasting has been made and vigils have surfaced. Yet, you discover the problem persists. The next charge to adopt is praises
Looking through the experience of Paul and Silas in the prison, You will discover that Paul and Silas were:-
1. Despised but yet praising
2. Humiliated and yet praising
3. Hated and yet praising
4. Troubled and yet praising God. Most people will look and think life will always bring the better side, but obviously, it won't. Because to as many who will live godly,
They will have to suffer persecution. Or do we think Paul and Silas were praising God because they were happy??
That midnight, they were in the prison to suffer for what doesn't worth it. Paul could have faced Silas and say, we shouldn't have preached to that extent, Silas could have faced Paul and tell him, he's the cause of the problem, They could have stood against each other and neglect appreciation. But they didn't.
For Paul and Silas, that midnight of praise was a night of:-
1. Suffering
2. Hatefulness
3. Dragging
4. Trouble
5. Agony
6. Despising
7. Jailing
8. Sorrow
9. Floggings, of course, they were beaten
10. Scourging
11. Underrating, of course, they were brought low
12. Commotion
13. Wound, they were wounded
14. Insult
15. War.
And like many bad things we can quantify with it. Looking through these 15 corresponding names to give that night, We will discover, that indeed it was a night of suffering. It's a lesson to us as believers, that whatsoever we are passing through as a child of God, we should learn how to praise God. Through praises, healing will come, help will come, deliverance will emerge and great shall be our experiences.
It's more blessed to be a praise giver,
There are numerous benefits whenever we praise God.
Part of the benefits embedded are:-
1. Heart are melted
2. Souls are convicted
3. Decisions are inspired
4. Hope are made alive
5. Battles are won 6. Captives are delivered
7. Chains are broken
8. Doors are opened
9. Sinners are converted.
Let us be reminded, that the jailor got converted through the great manifestation of God's power through the praises of Paul and Silas Act 16:26-30
KJV: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27
KJV: And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28
KJV: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29
KJV: Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30
KJV: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? We are facing a lot of challenges today which in one way or the other is stressful to our living.
The question comes to you, How long can you praise God?
To what extent can you praise God in the face of
trials,
temptation,
persecution,
failure,
agony,
depression and the likes?
May the Lord help us in Jesus name
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