Paul and Silas were in prison for preaching the Gospel. They had been stripped and severely beaten. As extra precaution, they were put into some type of inner dungeon, their feet in stocks. The jailer had been ordered to make sure they did not escape and he was taking his job very seriously. Paul and Silas were certainly in the midst of a very bad situation.
I’ve had bad days when I wondered if I was going to make it until bedtime. But I have to tell you, I haven’t had a day like the one Paul and Silas were having. There have been days I have felt as if I had been stripped, beaten, put into prison and chained; but thankfully I have never physically experienced this.
So, how were Paul and Silas dealing with their circumstances? Let’s have a look.
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”
Acts 16:25
Paul and Silas were in prison, but their hearts were not imprisoned. At midnight, the darkest hour, they were praying and singing to God. These were not silent prayers or songs being lip-synced to the Lord. The prisoners were listening. Some of the prisoners may have been unfairly imprisoned like Paul and Silas, but I would venture to guess that many of them were right where their poor choices had led them. Paul and Silas must have been making a huge impression on their fellow prisoners. Some may have thought Paul and Silas were out of their minds. Actually, that is exactly what they were, out of their minds and into their spirits.
“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!”
Acts 16:26
Praise is powerful. I believe the outcome would have been very different if Paul and Silas had been feeling sorry for themselves over their unfair situation.
I have my moments when I want to feel sorry for myself. Praising and singing may be the last thing I want to do. I have forgotten the power that comes from a heart of praise. No pity-party is ever going to help me. Praise is the weapon that gets me out of every problem I find myself in.
Notice that verse 26 says the chains of EVERY prisoner fell off. Our praise not only sets us free, but also sets other people free. Some people may not understand us at first, but when we bring freedom to their lives, they won’t care if we seem a bit strange.
The prisoners were not the only ones affected by Paul and Silas. The jailer was so distressed when he saw the prison doors had been opened, assuming the prisoners had escaped, he was ready to kill himself. Paul spoke and saved the jailer’s life.
The first recorded words of this jailer were, “What must I do to be saved?” The praise of Paul and Silas even brought freedom to the one responsible for keeping them imprisoned. The jailer and all of his family became believers and then they ministered to Paul and Silas.
What a happy ending to a bad situation. I don’t know what would have happened if Paul and Silas had sat there in the dark, whining and complaining, but thankfully they rose to the occasion and gave God the opportunity to work in their situation.
When we are in a difficult place, possibly imprisoned in some way, we can pull ourselves up by our boot straps (I am in Texas, you realize) and begin to praise. We can stop allowing our circumstances to dictate how we respond. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways; we have many reasons to praise Him.
As we begin to praise, things around us cannot stay the same. I believe doors will fly open, chains will fall off, and lives will be changed.