I’m fascinated by Acts 16.  Paul and Silas are in Philippi, and Paul drives a spirit out of a slave girl that allowed her to predict the future.  They become angry and drag Paul and Silas into the middle of town where they’re  severely beaten and put in prison for throwing the city into an uproar.  As is often the case in God’s Word, when it appears that the story is over it is actually just beginning.  When you watch Paul and Silas in this prison in Acts 16 there are some important lessons to be learned.

You can always pray and praise.

I’m not sure what I would do if was thrown into a prison for following Jesus, but Paul and Silas are found praying and praising.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  (Acts 16:25, NIV)  I’m not sure what I would do, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be singing while I’m praying.  Paul and Silas have joy even in the middle of the dungeon with their feet in the stocks.

They chose to focus on God.  He is the One who can transform every situation we face in life.  If we’re not careful these days that we’re living in can cause tunnel vision where we see just a few feet in front of us.  Don’t lose sight of God’s faithfulness.  Paul says:  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18, NIV)  What God has in store for us far outweighs what we’re going through right now.  Don’t allow these days to keep you from praying and praising.

God is always at work.

Look at what happens as Paul and Silas are praying and praising:  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.  (Acts 16:26, NIV)  Paul and Silas are trusting that God is going to do something.  I don’t think they knew what God was going to do, but they trusted that God was at work.  He sends an earthquake, and God doesn’t just unlock the doors…He throws them wide open.

We need to know that God is always working.  We need His power right now.  Paul says:  …we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28, NIV)  God doesn’t just blindly work, but He works for our good.  He will not only work in your situation, but He will work in your life!  Is there good that can come from what we’re going through today?  Yes, God guarantees it.

You can impact others.

Don’t think for one moment that while you “shelter-in-place” you cannot impact others.  Paul and Silas were sitting in the middle of a dungeon, and they had an impact on the jailer assigned to guard them.  After the jail doors are thrown open Paul reassures the jailer that none of the prisoners have escaped.  Then an amazing thing happens:  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. (Acts 16:29—33, NIV)  The way you respond to what this day brings just might begin to change the life of someone around you.

We’ve got an incredible story to tell today.  When we’re on the other side of quarantines, sheltering-in-place, and a virus we’ll still have an incredible story to tell.  Be ready to tell it.  Peter says:  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)  We had better be ready, right now, to give an answer for the hope that we have.  The question is going to come in the days ahead if it hasn’t already.  God can use you and your answer to that question to change the life of someone else through Jesus.

Billy Graham was once on an elevator when it stopped to pick up another passenger.  When the man got on the elevator he recognized Graham.  The man said, “Hey, you’re Billy Graham.  You’re a great man!”  And Billy Graham simply responded:  “I’m not a great man…I just have a great message.”  You have a great message.  A message of love and hope and grace.  Live it and share it, even today, and watch God use you to impact others.

-Brad