Have you ever felt like you were sitting in the dark? Have you ever felt afflicted? Are you sitting in the dark praising the Lord in the midst of your afflictions? Do you know that there are those that are watching you as you sit in the dark, in the midst of your afflictions?
Then the multitude rose up together against them [Paul and Silas]; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Act 16:22-25)
Beaten, humiliated, and thrown into prison- How could Paul and Silas be bound, and yet praying and singing praises to the Lord? The prisoners must have found this to be curious, to say the least. Yet Paul likely sang something like this- "How can I keep from singing His praise, How can I ever say enough, How amazing is His love, How can I keep from shouting His Name, I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing!"
For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons—Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!(Psa 107:9-15)
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.
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