-July 12, 2023-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
(Acts 16:25).
In was the strangest place to hold a prayer meeting and time of singing praises to God. Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes and thrown them into prison, with their feet in the stocks. They were in duress and distress. Their backs must have been throbbing. The word duress is defined as, “threats, violence, constraints, or other action brought to bear on someone to do something against their will or better judgment.”
In spite of this, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns so loud that the other prisoners heard them. The guards and the jailer also took notice. They probably never saw anything like this in their prison. They were familiar with cussing, complying, and groaning. We know that jailer and his family got saved. We when rejoice in the Lord in hard times, sorrowful times, and painful times, we have a great testimony for the Lord Jesus.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:19-20, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul practiced what preached, and preached what practiced. The Lord Jesus led the disciples in singing a hymn on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing He would be arrested and shortly be crucified. He is the greatest example to follow.
How about us? Can we rejoice, pray, and sing unto the Lord even under duress in our lives? Those who suffer with Christ will reign with Him. May God help us not to complain, resist, or fight back, but turn the other cheek. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.
Rejoicing and giving thanks in all circumstances,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 