And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God…(Acts 16:25)
This is an excellent illustration of the obedience, as opposed to the presumption of faith. Not only does the presumption have to do with deception regarding discernment, it also is relevant regarding the purpose for manifestations of power.
Paul and Silas praised, not knowing that God was going to set them free. They were not praying to be released from their bonds, trying to “force” the jail open. The fact that they stayed after the jail was opened was proof of this. They praised for the sake of praising, realizing that God is sovereign, and that He must have had a purpose in this. Even if that purpose was for them to die as witnesses, so be it. Because of their obedient faith, in the light of God’s plan, God did release them, and the jailor and his whole family got saved.
This is the greater point, not the miracle of the jail being opened, but the jailor and his family believing. The rocking and shaking of the jail cells during the earthquake was nothing compared to the ruckus in heaven when that jailor and his family were saved, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10 – ESV). The power was a means to an evangelizing end, not simply a rescue of God’s “special favorites”. This example should ring loud and clear in the minds of true believers today. If we are in a situation, we should know that God is with us and ask God if there is an opportunity to witness coming from this trial, not merely ask Him for relief.
Joy is not concerned with temporary circumstance, but in an abundant life of obedience, drawing closer despite the circumstance and God making His presence felt in our growth. Obedience, praising God for being God to us, not just for being good to us, is the order of things. The presumption of faith is a perversion of that order. It may feel as if something or someone is keeping you in prison, but if you let your praise rock the jailhouse you are in, God can use it to set others free, and not just yourself.
8 comments:
"Paul and Silas praised, not knowing that God was going to set them free."
How often we do the other, pray for an action, pray for a problem, pray for God to move.
Makes me thing about the phrase, "Praise God".
Did you say "ruckus"?
So much of what you write reminds me of James 1. It's not about God getting me out of a circumstance, but God changing me in the midst of any circumstance.
BTW, Scripture tells of those that escaped jail when the opportunity presented itself, and those that stayed in when the opportunity presented itself. JD, what would you do?
P.S.- the cable dude came by and picked up our box today (football season is over). No more UFC.
:-(
JD, what would you do?
Depends on the situation, and possibly who was with me...
Another good post, but on the lighter side:
JD, what would you do?
Would you sing worship songs only or would you join me if I started singing Monkees tunes?
Well, maybe Monkees tunes are better for washing dishes or travelling than right after getting beat to within an inch of death, expecting that in the morning they're going to finish the job. But if I started "I'm a Believer," would you join in?
I'd be glad to, but I'd change the lyric to....
Then I saw HIS face, 'cause I'm a believer
Stephen style (Acts 7)...
Oh yeah, how did the witnessing go?...
A friend suggested I had talent. But that's not how I see it. If anything, I had obedience. (If I convert anybody, they ain't saved.) Assuming verity in the response cards, we saw 25 people come into a right relationship with Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory...
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