We
all know that life is fraught with trials, tribulations and "bad
days"....days that make you want to pull your hair out or at least shed a
tear or two.
Paul,
that great apostle and follower of Jesus Christ, had more than his fair share
of those kind of days. In fact in Scripture, he recounts all his "bad
days" and the many misfortunes, beatings and near-death experiences that
have beset him in the course of his relationship with His Lord and Savior. But
the one that always brings a smile to my face is found in Acts 16: 24-28.
As
life for Paul goes, he and his ministry partner, Silas, have been thrown into
prison and the jailer has made sure that they are not going anywhere by placing
them in the inner prison with their feet and hands securely fastened in the
stocks. As the midnight hour approaches, Paul and Silas do what any intelligent
men in a situation like this would do...they pray and they SING...you heard me
correctly; THEY SING SO THAT ALL THE PRISONERS CAN HEAR THEM!
And
then God shows up....there is 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." The jailer is awakened by all the clamor and
realizing that all the doors of the prison are open and that the prisoners have
probably escaped, prepares to take his own life. Paul calls out and tells him
not to harm himself for everyone is
still there...in the same miserable condition as before except for one
thing...GOD STEPPED IN WHEN THEY SANG PRAISES TO HIM.
And
that makes for a great lesson for you and me...whenever we find ourselves
imprisoned by the trials and tribulations of life, know this... that is not the
time to wallow in self-pity and self-reliance...that is the time to PRAISE the
Lord and sing of His power and might. It is in those times that our OUTLOOK on
our situation needs to change and become an UPLOOK to God's sustaining mercy
and grace.
Maybe
God has placed you in a terrible situation so that you might learn a new lesson
regarding His ability to make "all things new" ...or to be a witness
to others of His great love and power as He releases you from the
"chains" of your fears and inadequacies (remember the other prisoners
heard the singing of Paul and Silas)...or just maybe, God is preparing you for
a greater ministry that will require you to be more dependent on Him than ever
before.
Whatever
the reason, one thing should be crystal clear regarding our "bad
days"....God is SOVEREIGN, still on His throne and He alone knows the
outcome....it is you and I that need the earthquake to be reminded that He is
at work.
So
next time you find yourself beset with a particular trial that is getting the
best of you...DON'T SWEAT IT ....SING ABOUT IT! Lift your voice in praise to
the ONE true God who loves you and gave His Son for you....and as we say down
South..."If that don't make you
sing, your heart's been broke!"
Tested
in the Trials of Life....Singing to the Savior,
WPQ
Poem for the day....
In this life we
will struggle
When bad times
come our way;
And in each of
them we have a choice...
To lament or
sing and pray.
We can lift our
hearts in worship;
Sing praises to
our King
And wait for the
blessing
That our trust
in Him will bring.
So don't give in
to hard times
No matter their
appearance...
For we serve a
mighty God
And are blessed
by His assurance.
Knowing that He
loves us
For He gave His
only Son.....
And He's coming
back to rapture us
When His work is
finally done!!!!
WPQ © September
2018
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