“After they (Paul and Silas) had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such 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 everybody's came loose. “(Acts 16:23-26).
Paul and Silas were able to sing after being beated severly and being chained in the prison because they had the true freedom from Christ Jesus. Eventhough their bodies were bounded, but their spirits were free. The true freedome was expressed from their openly praising the Lord , depise the time and place were not “appropriate”. Can you imaging after being harshly treated, instead of groaning with pain, they sang to the Lord. All the other prisoners must have been so touched, because they “ were listening to them”. As a result, the prison was shaken, the doors were opened and all the prisoneres were set free.
What can we learn from this testimoney? It tells us that we may be restricted by circustances, but not our hearts (spirits). Paul and Silas's prayers and praises focuses their miands and soul from themseleve and entriely onto the Lord. Because this welcome God's present into our situtations. Paul and Praises invites God to set His throne in the prison by praising Him.(PSalm 22:3)
Like Paul and Silas,we need to be determined to look up to Him regardless the circumstance may be .
The evil one my harm or restric our flesh while we still live in this world, may he can never chain our spirits. Christ lives within us. Christ is able to do “ is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”(Ephesians 3:20).
Whatever we have lost, God will resore I have been severly ill since 1999. Iit seems I lost evertyhting, health, job and social live from outward. But the true freedom and blessings in Christ Jesus are more abundant than I ever could dream of before.. Cheer Up! Don't be Dismayed! Be courageous! Let the light of Christ shine in the darkest corner of your hearts. You'll find just a little light from Him is able to light up the entire heart and see the road He has for you.
