"After beating them black and blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that-threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them." Acts 16:23-24 MSG
Have you ever felt like that? Do you feel like that? Like, it's not enough that you've been beaten black & blue but now you're locked up under maximum security with your legs chained down by iron clamps...
So when you feel like this what do you do?Do you cry, kick, sceam? Do you say woe is me... Let's look at what Paul & Silas did-
"Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose." Acts 16:25-26 MSG
So often we hear that our breakthrough depends on our praise & here in the scripture we know that to be true. See, Paul & Silas knew that God was Greater, Bigger, & Stronger than their circumstance! Paul & Silas knew what Job knew that,"though they slay me, yet will I trust Him! That even though they talk about me, I'm still going to trust Him. Even in the fiery furnace, I'm still going to trust Him. They lied on me but I'm still going to trust Him. Turned their backs on me but I'm still going to trust Him.
God knows the end result. He Authored it. So I'm going to sing. I'm going to shout. I'm going to dance. I'm going to Praise. Paul & Silas didn't wait for the earthquake to Praise God & see their shackles be broken. They didn't wait for God to bring them out, they Praised Him while they were yet in their prison cell. It was their Praise that caused the earthquake (it caused God to move on their behalf) & their shackles were broken. Their Praise unlocked the iron clamps. What are you doing in your prison cell? You see-
"Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]. If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. 1 Peter 4:12-14, 16 AMP
The devil is not in hot pursuit of you for no reason. He comes to steal, kill, & destroy. He wants that gift you have. He doesn't want to see it manifest. He's come to rob you of your destiny and purpose. He's come to keep you down & knock you off of your feet so you've got to be on your guard, standing firm in the faith. You've got to be courageous & strong in the Lord. They talked about Jesus. They betrayed even Him. God has made provision. He's provided a way of escape.
"but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken." 2 Cor 4:9
So shout & sing! Let Jehovah's Praises ring! Loose yourself. He has not given you a spirit of fear but of love, power, & a sound mind! Praise Him
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