A Witness Who Convicts
In the book of Acts, praise had an astonishing effect on those who heard it. Read Acts 16:16-34. Having been stripped and beaten hard, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison. No one was there to put ointment on their badly cut and bruised backs. In great physical pain and with their feet in stocks, they were placed in the darkness of the inner prison. But as the other prisoners sat listening, Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing.
After the earthquake, and after the jailer had discovered that neither Paul nor Silas nor any of the other prisoners had escaped, he "fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, `Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'" (vss. 29, 30, NIV).
Why did this event cause the jailer to focus on his own need of salvation? What role do you think Paul's and Silas's prayers and songs played in the prisoners' not running away, and in the conversion of this man and his whole family?
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It is amazing to think that our praise can transform the eternal destinies of those around us. If Paul and Silas had sat in the dark mumbling and complaining as prisoners often do, do you think anyone would have been saved that night?
We don't know what happened to the jailer and his family later on, but can you imagine them reading the words that Paul later wrote from another prison in Rome: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have" (Phil. 1:29, 30, NIV). If they did read this and reflected on how Paul's suffering had brought them joy, it surely must have brought a song to their hearts and a fresh challenge to remain faithful, no matter the cost.
Who do you think could be influenced for God by a song of praise that could come from your heart? Make a concerted effort to be more open and effusive in your praise to God around others. You don't know the positive effect it could have.
1 comment:
The jailer must have been impressed by Paul and Silas singing and giving praise while in stocks no less. Then, the earthquake came shaking him to the core and finding that none of the prisoners ran away. He had to realize a higher power was at work, and he wanted a part of that.
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