Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
2 21 2024
The Mentality of Worshiping God in our Darkest Moments.
Last time we discussed the impact of Silas and Paul as they prayed and worshipped at midnight in the darkest of dungeons after being beaten half to death and left without medical attention.
They were purposeful in reaching out to God. Their prayers may have fallen somewhere between Jesus get me out of here and Lord what is it in this situation that can bring you glory? Their mindset was clearly, I WILL praise you in this fire. I WILL celebrate you even though I am in a dark place. I WILL NOT allow the circumstance or Satan to steal my joy no matter the cost!
They were, in fact, holding to the promises of God.
But they had no bible like we do. I doubt whether they had a hand full of parchments to unroll so they could read. But they knew God’s promises. Paul was one of the most educated among the Pharisees and he was instructed in the Old Testament by one of the highest-ranking teachers in Judaism. They memorized scripture back then. They sang their psalms to help them remember as the family sat around the open hearth. Paul had certainly been training his disciple Silas. They were in fact, holding steadfast to the many promises of God heightened by the new teachings of Jesus himself. They did not say, this is where it ends. It’s over! They believed this was a different area for them to explore here in prison.
They refused to let their circumstance dictate their trust and relationship with God.
I could see them discussing Meshak Shadrack and Abednego speaking to the king who had ordered them in the fire because they would not bow to their God saying in Dan 3:16; “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.4 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Paul and Silas believed too, that even with our imprisonment, God can still use us…He can use our faith and similar to the mighty king of Babylon, use our faith and worship for others to recognize Jesus as Lord of heaven and their dungeon.
Act 16:25 As they sang God’s praises at midnight, while the other prisoners listened, a mighty earthquake, out of nowhere, shook the foundation of this fortress of a prison and immediately all the doors were opened and EVERYONE’s bands were loosed.
I would have been out the door so fast…but not so with them. They saw the jailer about to commit suicide and said: “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ The jailer fell trembling and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house”.
May I take a different tack? Father God planned all of this. This was not a serendipitous moment for them. Jesus had them together so they could encourage each other. (Who are you walking with?)
Whatever you are carrying today. Whatever your predicament, God has you. He has a plan for you.
We need to pay attention to the many real-life examples God left for us in his holy word. Paul’s imprisonments, all of his suffering, every door that opened, AND every door that God closed—they saw it as God’s hand over the situation. And they took every opportunity they could to witness and worship for the gospel and the glory of God.
Please realize this was the start of the church in Philippi. Wow, what a testimony. What a way to launch a church. But in the natural, it sure didn’t look like that. When Jesus died on the cross everyone thought it over then too. But it was just the beginning.
Can I exhort you today that in every situation, everything that led you to where you are, God is sovereign over every circumstance! We can worship AND witness in ANYTHING that is happening to you.
I pray you come to believe that and live it!
God is not only in control of our current situation but over all the things that led up to it. And he is in control of everything that will happen tomorrow. When I say sovereign, I mean absolute power, control, and authority to govern it and use it for His glory. That should mean something to you.
This is not just a story…It is a game plan.
It can be a step of faith for you in the situation you are in right now. It is an opportunity to witness and worship for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You decide right now, what that will be for you today!
I say today because it’s a new day and a new opportunity for you to Obey God and worship him.
I am praying you choose to Worship God in it…No matter what you see! Faith is the essence of what we hope for… the EVIDENCE of what is not seen! Hebrews 11:1
