In many ways, I think that I would question God if I was to go to prison. Questions like: Why me, Lord? Why do I have to go to prison for preaching the Gospel? Why does this have to end up this way? Why...why...why? However, the testimony of Paul and Silas shows a different way to respond with hardships in our life. Paul and Silas go to prison for...guess what? Freeing a poor girl from a fortune-telling spirit/demon.
Instead of responding with anger, blame, or frustration...Paul and Silas accept their beating and actually start to praise God! What incredible faith and character they exemplify! Instead of cursing, they sing a chorus to God. Instead of pouting, they pray to their Father in Heaven. Instead of shouting at God, they sing hymns to their Savior. Here is what the Bible says in Acts 16:19-34:
"When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household."
Not only did Paul and Silas begin praising God...they also witnessed to the jailer. They saved the jailer from committing suicide and also witnessed to the jailer's entire family. And guess what? God used a bad situation and turned it into a miraculous testimony. Only by Paul and Silas going to prison, did the jailer and his family get the opportunity to become saved and baptized that night. This is what faith can do!
I don't know about where you are on this journey we call "life". But, I am trying to get to that place where even in times of great trial and tribulation...I can turn to God in worship...I can turn to God in prayer...and I can turn to God for all my needs. This, I believe, should be our goal as a follower of Christ. We are called to a higher purpose, something that the world cannot understand or fathom. The love of Christ gives us strength to get through each day with thanksgiving in our hearts and songs of praise in our mouths. I will worship and follow God. Will you?
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