For the sake of you not becoming overwhelmed by the length of this scripture being inserted into this blog I'm going to summarize this passage. Paul and Silas are doing Kingdom business and spreading the Gospel. There is this demon possessed girl who is just following them around and basically getting on Paul's nerves. She hits his last nerve and he casts the demon out of her. I'd say that would be a good day for her, but it definitely wasn't for this girl's masters who were making a fortune off of her. When she was possessed she was doing some fortune-telling and making bank for them. Paul messes that all up for the dude when he casts the demon out of her. Long story short Paul and Silas get thrown in jail for this. Didn't see that one coming.
I'm sure Paul didn't think this would send him to the inner dungeon, badly beaten and chained to the wall with his feet in stocks. Not only Paul, but Silas was with him and received the same beatings and treatment. Silas could have been like "Dude seriously? Did you really have to do that?" But he didn't. He understood why they were there; sharing in the sufferings of Christ for which they had given their lives.
Think about it. All Paul did was cast a demon out. That's a pretty big deal, but getting beaten for it? I mean he was just doing Kingdom business right? Setting things straight and putting the enemy in his place by the authority of Christ that Paul lived under. Does it surprise you that this happened? It shouldn't. We were told that we would experience persecutions in this life. Don't get discouraged though because the story doesn't end there.
In that moment of being in the inner dungeon, badly beaten, chained to the wall...probably feeling absolutely miserable...it was the perfect opportunity to complain and whine. It was the perfect moment for Silas to give Paul the silent treatment for getting them in such a predicament. Just imagine being another prisoner in that dungeon in some dark corner. You are miserable yourself and you just heard that the Apostle Paul and Silas were thrown into the cell next to you. You wait, listening to see what they say because you know they call themselves disciples of Christ. "Hmph...see what they do now. Look what following Jesus got them into." All of a sudden you hear singing. Are you losing your mind? Nope. It's them. Paul and Silas are singing songs of love and adoration to their God and praying to Him.
Verse 25 says that while Paul and Silas were singing and praying, the other prisoners were listening. When you are going through difficult things in life - whatever that may be or look like....remember people are watching and listening to how you react. You have declared yourself a follower of Jesus Christ. A child of God. How will you respond? How you respond does not only affect you, but those who are waiting and watching. But wait! We haven't gotten to the best part yet....
The next thing the scriptures say that happened was that there was a great earthquake. All the doors immediately flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Oh - my - goodness. Did you just see that?! Please - go back and read it again!! Because of their decision to worship God in the midst of that trial that was completely unexpected, the doors that were once tightly shut FLEW OPEN and the chains that not only bound Paul and Silas but the other prisoners FELL OFF. Everyone.
Do you realize the power of your testimony in how you live your life? People are watching. They are listening. How are you portraying your God. Because of how Paul and Silas responded, others were freed of what once bound them. The doors that they could not have opened on their own, flew open. Not only were the prisoners freed but the guard who bound them came to know Christ. The man who could have been considered their enemy just moments before, came to know Christ along with the rest of his family.
Before you become overwhelmed, disillusioned or broken over circumstances in life, remember Who your God is. He's there. Closer than you may realize. He's ready to set you free; ready to free those around you through your testimony.
Let Him put a new song in your heart.
Psalm 34 (MSG)
I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.I live and breathe God;
if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:
Join me in spreading the news;
together let's get the word out.
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
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