Acts 16:25 (NIV)25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
OK. Let me get this straight. Paul and Silas had been up all day, delivered a slave girl from a demon, got arrested, were severely beaten and flogged (remember “The Passion of the Christ”?), thrown into a dark, dungy jail with no lights (v29) and they were praying and singing hymns to God???? I can’t even seem to stay awake praying at 10pm – even when I get up late!
Can you imagine sitting in the dark, physically exhausted and drained, bruised and bleeding (v33), and not going to sleep but instead having a worship service?
Check this out. They took the beating. At any point, they could have played the “I’m a Roman citizen” card and used their get out of jail card. They could have stopped the beating and even avoided the whole thing! But they didn’t. I’ve been challenged to get into shape and have been working out. You know that feeling when your muscles hurt? I call it a “good pain.” I imagine Jesus had the same attitude about his torture and crucifixion – “It’s a good pain. I am redeeming my children.” Obviously, Paul and Silas had the same attitude to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ and for the gospel.
What if they had stopped the beating? What if they had avoided the pain? What if they had stayed in their comfort zone? One thing for sure, the jailer and his family would all have gone to hell. At the time, Paul and Silas didn’t know that he and all his family would get saved. They merely lived in the moment that God had given them. Hindsight showed them that their suffering was a “good pain”.
Application:
1. Suck it up! How can I possibly say “I’m too tired!” when it comes to ministering to the Lord? Father forgive me for being such a wimp! Stretch me to not only endure, but to glory in the “good pains”, those things that take me out of my comfort zone and enlarge the Kingdom.
2. I am always “ON”. I cannot turn on and turn off my walk, if I am fully submitted to Christ and His purposes in my life. I will never know when God will use my situation – good or bad – to bring Glory to Himself or to bring another soul into the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Father forgive my fickle heart. Jesus turn me to the “on” position and rip the knob OFF! I love you and willing submit to a life committed to your service. Before my brothers – who I know will hold me accountable – I pledge my life to your will. I empty myself of ME and ask you to fill me up…. to put on my flesh and live my life here on earth (Gal 2:20).
Running After Papa…