Since returning home from Oregon, I recognize I'm pretty close to finishing up a compilation of notes on the study I've done to come up with my own personal theology of suffering.
With just a couple more thoughts, including this one, I'll start to build my summary.
In the meantime, here's the Scripture I've pondered this week, ordained I think from the Lord (a simple, but profound lesson):
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them - when suddenly.... (Acts 16:25-26a)"
A little history.
This is the back story to the book of Philippians.
Paul wanted to go spread the Word of God (the gospel, his great love) in Asia, while on his second missionary journey.
However, for some reason, the Spirit of the Lord would not allow Paul and Silas to head that direction.
So, they passed by and headed toward Troas, when during one of the nights on the road, Paul saw a clear vision of a Macedonian man beckoning and urging him, "Come to Macedonia and help us."
IMMEDIATELY, Paul and his companions sought to go to Macedonia.
They caught a ship in Troas, and off they went...
Successful ministry awaited them in Samothrace and Neapolis...yet, on they traveled towards Philippi.
The church at Philippi began when Paul and Silas connected with a group of women, who gathered together on the Sabbath, along the river for prayer.
They were "worshiper's of the Lord," though at the current time, they didn't KNOW Jesus.
Acts tells us "their hearts were open," especially Lydia, a wealthy business woman, who sold purple goods imported from Thyatira.
Paul, and his cohort, stayed on for several days, where they birthed a new and exploding church.
It seems, however, Paul's presence attracted the attention of a young slave girl, possessed by a spirit of divination.
She brought her owners a good deal of money by telling fortunes in the community.
As the men moved about the city, she followed at their heels, proclaiming to everyone who they were and why they were there...
"They are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim the way of salvation (16:17)."
You'd think her words might be helpful for Paul's mission.
Yet, I don't think Paul wanted either the gospel or the name of Jesus to be advanced by one belonging to Satan, so he cast out the demon.
A thought according to Warren Wiersbe reminds us that -
"Satan may speak truth one minute and the next minute tell lies, so how would an unsaved group of people know the difference?"
Of course, the owners (not having concern for the girl, only the lost money) complained to the magistrate, and Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown into prison.
Not just thrown into a cell, nope, they were shackled inside the "innermost part of the prison," with their feet in stocks.
So, what do they do amidst this trial of persecution and suffering?
They pray.
They sing.
"And the prisoners were listening to them (v. 25)."
Of course they were.
They had a captive audience (pun intended).
The Lord showed up, as He has a habit of doing.
Following their singing came an earthquake, the doors to cells opened, the chains were unfastened...and the Philippian jailer, certain the prisoners under his watch escaped, drew his sword to kill himself.
But, no! Not a one left the jail...and, after their assurances, the baby church at Philippi gained a new member in-Christ. He and his entire household "believed in the Lord (v. 34)."
This story is filled with lessons for times of suffering, pain, discouragement, persecution, annoyance, trial and affliction.
Here is the BIG ONE that follows a few question: What do I do when these things occur? What is my immediate response when, out-of-the-blue I'm traveling a road I never intended to travel? When I'm "put" someplace I never wanted to be "put?"
My typical?
I complain.
I whine.
I look for an out!
I blame someone else for allowing it to happen to me.
I ask the "why me?" question.... Or, the "why now?"
I might even respond with a hint of anger.
Not so, Paul and Silas.
These bruised, bloodied, stiff and sore men, shackled to a prison wall, PRAYED AND PRAISED.
Whatever your "imprisonment" looks like (financial difficulty, sickness, a difficult job, people problems, an accident that's left you immobile, family issues, trials in your marriage, an addiction you're trying to shake, an emotional handicap, or just life-in-general), declaring truth to yourself through prayer and worship releases the Lord to do an unexpected work.
Your circumstances may not change, but your heart will change!
Your circumstances may not change, but the gospel will be proclaimed!
Prayer is simple.
Just talk to God.
Step into His invitation to "Come, magnify... (Psalm 34:3)..."
Listen, sing, and worship the Lord through music.
It's amazing how singing settles the soul and changes perspective.
In fact, it's our invitation to Him to step into our lives with His Presence (and, with His presence comes great joy - Ps. 16:11).
So, I've said this before, but we all need a prison-playlist, ready at all times.
A playlist that's handy and accessible "for such a time as this."
Here's a discipleship-of-songs, linked to YouTube (I'd love for you to leave a response with some of yours):
Not For a Moment, Meredith Andrews
Hallelujah Anyway. Rend Collective.
Though You Slay Me. Shane and Shane.
Another in the Fire. Hillsong.
Run to the Father. Cody Carnes.
Praise You in the Storm. Casting Crowns.
With You Lifted Hands, Ryan Stevenson.
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