“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed” (Acts 16:25,26).
TEXT — Acts 16:16-33
Message
Life is full of twists and turns. It does not always offer what we expect. What makes the difference is our response in such confounding situations. We can decide to act like most people, search for excuses for our predicament, wallow in self-pity or relapse into depression. But we can also choose to be undaunted and stand firm on the strength of our conviction. At such a time, it is natural to praise God for the privilege of suffering for the cause of the Kingdom.
Apostle Paul and Silas had just arrived in the city of Philippi. As they were going for prayers a few days later, they were trailed by a young girl who was possessed by the spirit of divination. She kept announcing to the public that Paul and Silas were servants of God who came to show the people the way of salvation. Initially, they ignored her, but she continued the practice for several days. Grieved in the spirit, Paul rebuked the spirit, and cast him out of the girl.
In anger that she had been stripped of her dark powers with which she made money for her employers, they raised false accusations and public protests against Paul and Silas. They were beaten and thrown into prison. In that condition, they began to praise God at midnight. God shook the prison with an earthquake that also shattered the chains and shackles of all prisoners.
We must learn to praise God, when our trials are fiercest. It gladdens God’s heart and it is like a sweet smelling savour to Him. Praise brings comfort in times of trouble and it serves to strengthen our faith. It brings victory in the midst of battles and assures us that the Lord has neither left nor forsaken us.
Thought for the day
Learn to praise God now, for it will be our only duty in heaven.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
