Praise in All Circumstances (Acts 16)

Paul and Silas are in jail. Imagine with me for a moment, the situation that they are in. They were beaten and put into stocks, jailed and still they find a way to praise God. Wow! This reminded me a passage from a Psalm that we recently read.

Psalm 125:1-2 (ESV)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

William Mcdonald in his Bible Commentary says

“Mount Zion is one of the promontories in the city of Jerusalem, and is sometimes used as a figure of speech for the city itself. Here it signifies the ultimate in stability and strength, a citadel that cannot be moved. The man of faith is like that. His life is built on the solid rock.”

Then we have that the Lord surrounds His people FOREVERMORE! Sometimes we do not feel surrounded though because we take our eyes off God and put them on our circumstances. Remember Peter, (Matthew 14) when he walked on water…until he took his focus off Jesus and focused on the wind and became overcome with fear…He allowed his circumstances to distract him from trusting God.

We are guaranteed to have trouble in this life (John 16:33). But, we see that our strength doesn’t come from how much we can bench press or how big our bank account is. Our strength comes from the Lord (Psalms 28:7).

Paul and Silas, who are sitting in terrible situation, still find a way to praise and worship their creator. Their trust in God is evident through their hearts in sing while being in a terrible situation. Not only were they singing but others were listening to them sing (acts 16:25)…they were witnessing through song. Their attitude of worship was a testimony to those around them.

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

I do not know what situation you find yourself in today. Let me encourage you to rejoice no matter what the day looks like or looked like continue to praise and worship our Creator. The only God. Remembering that no matter what you are going through the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore!

Source:

William Macdonald Believer's Bible Commentary