June 26, 2012

Acts 16:25  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.


Personal conviction from this verse--  Two ways ago I was doing some painting at school.   I was in the basement and had the music turned up fairly loud.  There was an artist up one floor working on some murals in the main hallway.  At one point she mentioned she really liked my song choice.  BUT all the songs being played were secular.  After reading the verse from Acts, I wondered if I had a Christian playlist going perhaps a seed could have been planted or a need ministered to in this person's life.

On to Blackaby's commentary on Acts 16:25.

Joy comes from knowing God.  Joy is a result of the forgiveness and love God shows His children.  Far too often we allow people or circumstances to determine our joy level.  Paul and Silas had been falsely accused, beaten with rods and placed in the inner cell with their feet in stocks.  Yet they still prayed and sang songs to God.  Now that is an example of true joy, not situational happiness.

That kind of joy can only come from truly knowing who we are in Christ.  "How do we know who we are in Christ?" you ask.  Spiritual disciplines, my friend.  Meditation on the Word of God.  Bible reading and study.  Consistent and sustained prayer.  Paul and Silas did not reach prison joy through a mere two-hour a week trip to the local synagogue.

It is also interesting to note that they were there to encourage each other.  So many times in the Bible we find Believers who are in trouble leaning on the shoulder of other Believers.  Shad, Mesh, Aben in the furnace.  Paul asked for the support and encouragement of the local churches.  Moses and Aaron.  Jesus sent disciples out two-by-two to spread the gospel.  Do you have that Christian shoulder to lean on?

Heavenly Father, please impress upon my heart today just how magnificent You are and bring to mind all You have done for me.  May my joy today arise out of that knowledge, not the circumstances and situations that are a part of my life.  Amen.