June 25
Acts 16:16-40
How do you respond to hardship? Do you see it as an opportunity to serve God and mature, or something to flee? Paul and Silas continued their ministry in Phillippi, where they were identified as God’s servants by a demonpossessed slave woman. After driving out the spirit, they were thrown in prison after false accusations from the woman’s masters. Savagely beaten, tightly bound, and under heavy guard, the gut instinct of most would be anger or despair. Difficulty, hardship, and injustice can often bring out the worst in us, but Paul and Silas responded with praise and hymns to the Lord.
When an earthquake miraculously threw open the gates, Paul and Silas seized the opportunity, not to flee, but rather to witness to the confused and distraught jailor. Through this circumstance, the entire household of the prison warden is brought to faith. The next day, Paul and Silas were set free by the local magistrates and left Phillippi. They turned their difficult circumstances into transformed eternities for some and a testimony to all. We can be used in this same way. Through a brief word, a kind gesture, or pointing towards Christ, we can find opportunities to serve the Lord in every circumstance.
Lord, thank you that you are faithful and worthy of praise in the struggles of life. You are amazing to work in every circumstance. Amen.
When faced with hardship or injustice, what is your first reaction, and how can you make it a Godward reaction?
How do you respond to hardship? Do you see it as an opportunity to serve God and mature, or something to flee? Paul and Silas continued their ministry in Phillippi, where they were identified as God’s servants by a demonpossessed slave woman. After driving out the spirit, they were thrown in prison after false accusations from the woman’s masters. Savagely beaten, tightly bound, and under heavy guard, the gut instinct of most would be anger or despair. Difficulty, hardship, and injustice can often bring out the worst in us, but Paul and Silas responded with praise and hymns to the Lord.
When an earthquake miraculously threw open the gates, Paul and Silas seized the opportunity, not to flee, but rather to witness to the confused and distraught jailor. Through this circumstance, the entire household of the prison warden is brought to faith. The next day, Paul and Silas were set free by the local magistrates and left Phillippi. They turned their difficult circumstances into transformed eternities for some and a testimony to all. We can be used in this same way. Through a brief word, a kind gesture, or pointing towards Christ, we can find opportunities to serve the Lord in every circumstance.
Lord, thank you that you are faithful and worthy of praise in the struggles of life. You are amazing to work in every circumstance. Amen.
When faced with hardship or injustice, what is your first reaction, and how can you make it a Godward reaction?
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