Don't Let Anything Silence Your Praise!

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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. ~ Acts 16:25-26

Paul and Silas were not having a good day. They had been falsely accused, stripped of their clothing, beaten with rods and endured "many stripes", and then were placed in prison. Not only were they just locked in prison, but they also had their feet fastened in stocks.

Imagine the scene. Imagine the pain they must have been in after being beaten so severely. I'm sure they were bleeding terribly, bruised, and aching from head to toe. They didn't have pain medicine to take to try to relieve the pain. It was impossible to find a comfortable position. After all, their feet were fastened so they had very limited movement.

But look at what the Bible says about them. At midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God! It also says that the other prisoners were listening to them. The notes in my Bible say this, "The word translated listening here means 'to listen with pleasure,' as if listening to beautiful music. It is in times of darkness that the light of a Christian witness shines brightest." (The Nelson Study Bible)

Paul and Silas had every reason to sit and complain. Most people probably would have been in tears from the agonizing pain. But Paul and Silas had a relationship with their Father. They didn't just love Him in the good times when everything was going in their favor. They practiced what they preached. They talked the talk but also walked the walk. They were devoted to Him no matter what they had to go through and nothing was able to silence their praise!

The awesome thing about this is that as they praised God in the midnight hour, not only were they set free but also ALL the prisoners were set free! Even the keeper of the prison as well as his family were saved and baptized!

There is power in our praise! But this power is not only for us...it is for those watching our lives. How often do we get upset if we have a bad day at work or the kids are getting on our nerves. We let things like this steal our victory. We will go around complaining and speaking harshly to everyone around us. But what kind of example are we setting for those watching our lives? Do we act like everyone else or do they see us operating on supernatural strength that comes from God? Do they witness us being confident in who we are and possessing His peace that passes all understanding?

People are searching for truth. They desire to see something that is real. Anyone can talk the talk while they're sitting in church, clapping their hands, and singing the songs. But it's what takes place after we leave those four walls that really matters. That's when people see who we really are. Is the light of God shining through you when you're having a bad day? Do you still point others to Him even when you don't really feel like it? Remember, people need to see you living this "Christian life." They need to know what true Christianity really looks like. How you respond to situations and the praise that is "continually on your lips" will be what leads them to the One who can change their life forever and sets them free from the things that have held them captive!