-May 19, 2023-
Good morning, happy Friday,
“And when they laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
(Acts 16:23; Acts 16:25).
In today’s text we see Paul and Silas were imprisoned for their faith in the Lord. In spite in what was done to them, they rejoiced in the Lord, singing hymns. There are so many men in the Bible who were put into prison, though they weren’t guilty of any crimes. Peter wrote, “Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good contact in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:16-17).
The list of believers who were imprisoned includes Joseph who was falsely accused of attempted rape; Jeremiah for preaching against Israel’s sins and God’s impending judgment and captivity; Micaiah the prophet for speaking God’s message against the wicked king Ahab; John the Baptist for speaking out against Herod for taking Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; Peter and John for preaching the gospel of Christ; and Paul and Silas casting out a demon from servant girl and upsetting the livelihood of local silversmiths who stood to gain from her fortune telling.
In every case, these men stood firmly on and for the truth and were imprisoned for their faith in the Lord. We read in Hebrews 13:3, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” Even today, there are countess believers in Christ in many countries who are imprisoned for their faith Christ. We need to stand with them and pray for them. Persecution and imprisonment has not happened here in the United States at this time, but that could change. God gives grace to all those who suffer for righteousness sake. Standing for Christ and identifying ourselves with Him is a way of life. It takes courage, commitment, grace, and mercy.
Isaiah 5:20 pronounced this warning, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” The world is completely upside down, and situation grows worse every day.
Have a blessed day living for Jesus and standing for the truth of God’s Word no matter the cost. Stay safe and healthy.
Bringing down evil by standing up for good,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 