Day Nine: Worship Despite Your Circumstances

Acts 16:25,

Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Are you having a good day? If you’re like me it’s probably because the sun is shining, you have a full belly, you’re loved and the day is going your way. Who wouldn’t be ready for worship? However, what happens when the rains come, finances are tight, you feel forgotten, and persecution has come your way? This story convicts me.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas had such a day. Paul and Silas are heading to the place of prayer when they seem to be interrupted by a girl with an evil spirit that keeps antagonizing them. Seemingly, this goes on for days and becomes such an annoyance to them that they cast out the evil spirit which leads to some pretty heavy consequences.

However, as you read the story, place yourself in it as one tagging along with Paul and Silas. I think if you were there it would’ve been eye opening. After being flogged and thrown into prison (and not your modern-day version of prison) chained and guarded by Rome’s elite, they do something extraordinary. In verse 25, it says at about midnight Paul and Silas began praying and singing hymns to God. In the midst of all the other prisoners and guards, they prayed and sang.  I can almost guarantee that had never happened before. As you read the story you see that this and their following actions had a profound impact on those in that jail.

I don’t know about you, but singing would’ve been the last thing on my mind and I can guarantee you my prayers would not have been like theirs. “Why me God?” Their worship of God was not dependent upon their circumstance, but rather their trust in God. I would venture to guess that it’s in these hard times that our worship is the most fragrant and honoring.

Reading: Acts 16:16-40; James 1:1-4

Song: Mercy Me – Even If