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"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them."
(Acts 16:25)
Yesterday we learned that we should not be surprised when we face backlash or challenges on account of our ministry serving Jesus. What then should our response be? Read the verse of the day above one more time to see how Paul and Silas responded to being taken to prison.
Paul and Silas were wrongfully accused by wicked people who were angry that their ability to exploit a girl was foiled through the freedom Jesus brought to her. Yet Paul and Silas, through their freedom in Christ, chose to worship God amidst being treated unjustly. Being free in Christ means that we are free from the bondage and eternal penalty of our sin. I believe that it also provides us the opportunity to be free from worry since we know where our faith is placed: in the one who is in full control. This assurance allowed Paul and Silas to worship from prison.
Worshiping and praying in the midst of such a trial is a display of trust and surrender. Why do so many people raise their hands when they sing songs of worship to God? Why do some get on their knees? Both of these are physical signs of surrender, and displaying this with your body can help inform your heart to take a posture of surrender as well.
I recently saw a story online of an older couple who were with a mission team and were unexpectedly pulled into questioning at customs in a foreign country. This had never happened before and the team, including their son, was concerned. After hours of not knowing what was going on, the couple was released and allowed to rejoin their group. To the surprise of the team, they came out smiling. One might expect them to be upset at being profiled or made to go through hours of waiting and questioning. Instead, they kept their focus on the Kingdom of God and had spiritual eyes to see the purpose behind what was happening to them. They met a woman who needed to hear the good news of Jesus and were able to share it with her while being held by these customs agents.
It reminded me of Paul and Silas. They didn't do anything wrong. They didn't deserve the treatment or accusations they received. However, a life of surrender to the Lord says, "Lord, you do nothing by mistake! So what will I do when things don't go my way? I will worship!" Not only did Paul and Silas worship in prison, they did it in such a way that the other prisoners could hear! They worshiped and let their worship be a witness.
The next time you feel something unjust happens to you, consider how you might surrender how you think things should go on your behalf and instead open your hands to how the Lord may use the opportunity to allow you to be a witness for him.
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