One aspect I love about my church is that we’ve always been taught the importance of praise in a believer’s life. Of course, whenever I read the Psalms, I see many instances declaring praise to our God and it always encourages me.
However, I have gained a new perspective about praise which can be found in the following passage which documents time Paul & Silas spent in prison: Acts 16:23-26 (NKJV)
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
I used to only think about this passage as it relates to Paul and Silas being freed when their chains were loosed. However, I think there is more we can glean. Those verses tell us that “Paul & Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…” Paul and Silas could have complained and demanded to be set free. They could have shaken their fists at the injustice they suffered. They could have blamed others for their circumstances. They could have crawled in the corner and cried, feeling sorry for themselves. The choice was theirs, but they did none of that. The Bible clearly tells us they chose to spend their time praying and singing hymns to God, despite their imprisonment.
Next, we see that as they prayed and sang to God, “the prisoners were listening to them.” Despite the fact that they were locked up and in the same circumstances, the other prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas. Whether we think so or not, others pay attention to what we do and say. As believers, we are an example to those around us. If we are negative and complaining, people will see that. That kind of behavior does not offer hope to anyone.
I pray that when I am faced with difficulties, that I will choose to focus on God and praise Him. No matter situation we are in, God is right there with us. When we turn our focus to Him and His goodness and grace, we can be an example that will encourage those around us.
Lastly, we see in verse 26 that, “there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Everyone benefitted from the prayers and songs Paul and Silas lifted up to the Lord. How exciting! Not only can my praise bring me to a better place, but it has the power to impact those around me – even if they are non-believers!
Yes, the chains fell off Paul & Silas, but we also see that everyone’s chains were loosened. Everyone benefitted from the sacrifice Paul & Silas made. Their sacrifice revolved around their decision to praise God even in the midst of the dark prison, in the midnight hour. Their actions set the example for all believers to follow.
We should not only praise God on Sunday morning at church, but we also need to offer God our praise no matter where we are, or who is around us. After all, we never know who else might be listening to our praise – and if they are, their chains may be loosed as well!
April 30, 2023
