This morning I found myself reading through Acts chapter sixteen which tells the story of Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown into prison. Actually, it says they were put in the inner prison and put in stocks, after they were beaten. From what I have read about the Roman prisons, this would have been a dark underground cavern that was likely in the lowest part of the prison. There would likely have been little ventilation, so this cavern would have been hot and reeking of odors we don’t want to imagine. This would seem like enough punishment, but they also had their feet placed in stocks.
It is important that we understand just what was going on before we read the verses that I want to share with you. Remember, they have been beaten, thrown in this dark, hot, stinky dungeon, and their feet were locked in stocks. Keep this in mind as we read these verses together. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone chains came loose” Acts 16:25-26.
Bruised, battered, and in pain, locked in a dark dungeon prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to the Lord. They were singing so loudly the other prisoners could hear them. I don’t know if they were enjoying this midnight praise session, but they were hearing it, nonetheless. Despite their pain and horrible circumstances, Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise God. They took their eyes off their circumstances and chose to worship God instead. And the prisoners weren’t the only ones listening. God heard them and responded in a mighty way.
When Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise God right there in the middle of their pain, in the middle of their prison, God heard them. They sang so loud that the prisoners heard them. They sang so loud that heaven heard them, and God sent a violent earthquake that shook the foundations of the jail. It also opened every door and broke everyone’s chains. Their worship not only set them free, but it also set everyone around them free. Their choice to look beyond their circumstances and praise God, brought freedom to everyone who heard their songs of praise.
I’m going to be really honest with you, my friend. I don’t know how they did it. I don’t know how they pressed beyond the pain, beyond the darkness around them, and chose to fix their eyes on Him in that moment. Then again, I do know just how powerful it can be to sing those old hymns of praise in some pretty dark moments. I know how they can lift you above your circumstances; I know how prayer and praise can pull you through some pretty difficult times. It isn’t easy but choosing prayer and praise in the darkest of dungeons brings light to our souls. It brings the hope we need.
Beloved, what pain are you dealing with today? What dark dungeon do you find yourself in? May I offer you some advice? I say this as kindly as I possibly can, dear heart. Perhaps it’s time to take your eyes off your circumstances and fix them on Him instead. Perhaps it’s time to do a little praying and singing some midnight hymns to the Lord. Who knows what might happen! You might just find a few doors opening and some chains breaking. You might feel the ground begin to shake as the Almighty moves on your behalf. I know it’s hard and the truth is you may not even feel like singing and praying.
But, dear heart, your prayers have more power than you realize, and your praise can open doors you never dreamed possible. And just like the prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas, there are people watching you and listening to you. What are they going to hear coming from you? Your thoughts, your words, your songs, and your attitude in the midst of the trial you are going through do not just affect you; they have a powerful influence on the people watching and listening to you. Are you drawing them to Him? Are you focused on your problems or are you focusing on the Problem-Solver?
I know it’s hard, beloved, but no matter how dark this dungeon may be, no matter how much pain you may be experiencing, and no matter how trapped you may feel, He is with you. He has not left you alone in this darkness. He is there, ready to help you do hard things. He will help you through this. Will you trust Him to do just that? Can you do what Paul and Silas did? Can you lift your eyes beyond your circumstances and fix them on Him instead? Can you choose prayer and praise? Will you let His Spirit intercede through you (Rom. 8:26-27) and help you to rise above your circumstances, so that others can see Him in you?
I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you are able to do hard things. You are able to walk the most difficult path, perhaps even the path you never wanted your feet to trod, because He will be there beside you. He has promised that He will never leave you (Deut. 31:6,8; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5) and He always keeps His Word. This means that even in the darkest dungeon or the deepest pain, He is there; you are not alone. And when you choose to trust Him in those moments, when you can still pray and praise Him, even when you don’t feel like it, He hears and responds in ways you cannot even imagine!
So, we have to ask ourselves this question, my friends. How am I going to respond to the difficulties I face? No one can answer this question for us, and it is definitely something we must take time to carefully consider. I don’t about you, but I know I need His help to be more like Paul and Silas. I am not there yet… but I want to be. I want to live a life that honors Him. I want to pray and praise Him so loudly that other “prisoners” hear it. I want to see some earth-shaking, chain-breaking, and door-opening answers to prayer! How about you, my friend, how are you going to respond?
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Heb. 13:15
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11
See also: Isaiah 61:1-3 and Psalm 40:1-3
Katrina Douglas
5/26/22
