Scripture:

“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

 

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, ‘Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here’!” Acts 16:22-28 (NLT)

 

Perspective:

Paul looked around, and he saw Silas next to him with blood dripping down his back from the beating. As he reflected on the day’s events, Paul had helped a girl who was demon possessed, then the crowd turned against him. He and Silas were beaten until the pain seemed like it would be intolerable. The dungeon was becoming a more familiar place as Paul taught people about Jesus. Instead of lamenting the situation, the thing inside of Paul and Silas began to spill out – thanksgiving. A song began to rise out of a dark place that would have caused most people to melt in despair. Midnight was the darkest time of the night, but it was at that time and in that place where they held fast to the faithfulness of God. Praise began to infiltrate the entire prison as weak bodies were overshadowed by a strong spirit within. God, in response to this praise, responded. The chains that were holding them in this dark place were broken for them and everyone else in the prison. This dark night and dreadful place opened the door and acted as a platform for Paul and Silas to experience God’s supernatural power and to share about Jesus with those around them.

 

You may also be facing a dark night, where praise seems to be the furthest thing from your mind. You may be hurting from words people said, things done against you, or news you can’t control. We all face situations at different times in our lives where it feels like the darkness is encroaching, and we are bound by fear, circumstances, or past decisions. In the darkest moment, one light still shines brighter. When we lift our heads and hands in praise, we welcome God to step into our situation in a new way. The light of Jesus can’t be snuffed out by darkness. Sometimes we have to take hold of ourselves and remember the faithfulness of God. What are you doing on your darkest day? When we turn our hearts toward Jesus in praise, there is power in praise to break every chain. Our gracious God is then able to take dark moments of disappointment or despair and redeem them for the benefit of those who need Jesus. Even in the darkest night, keep praising and keep singing even before you receive the breakthrough. May the song in the night be an anthem of God’s great power no matter the circumstances we face.

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

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