Yesterday was a great day of encouragement at Bethlehem Baptist Church. We were blessed to witness believer’s baptism, and come to The Lord’s Table together in communion. We were exhorted in God’s Word that God delivers his people for a purpose – to worship. Our passage in Exodus showed us that there are distinctive differences for the people of God. We saw in James on Sunday evening that we are to love differently (without partiality) – that we are delivered from the condemnation of the law to living a life under the law of Liberty. Christ has freed us by taking God’s judgement on himself, and extends mercy to us.
The disciple’s life is purposeful. We’ve been called out and set apart to live a worshipful life to our Almighty God. What do we do when darkness and night surrounds us? When doors seem to be locked, and hope feels out of reach, are we still really called to worship? What about seasons when it is difficult to see the Lord’s hand working and moving in our life? These are often questions we have when it feels that we are “waiting” on God. Through Bethlehem’s Sunday School curriculum, we were reminded of Abram and Sarai’s motivation to help God fulfill His promise to Abram that he would bear and heir himself. This self-made plan caused pain and bitterness to effect Abram’s family. The Lord had promised Abram that Sarai would give Abram an heir, the child of the promise, yet impatience caused them to take matters into their own hands. This is a great reminder for us – to patiently, prayerfully and worshipfully trust God.
Paul and Silas’ Worship in Waiting
Acts 16 gives us a scene set in Philipi, where Paul was first preaching the Gospel. A slave girl was freed from a demon after exploitation of fortune-telling. This led to Paul and Silas being brought before city officials. It did not take long for the crowd to join in on the attack, and the officials had Paul and Silas beaten then, with no trial, thrown into jail. While in prison, their feet were locked in the stocks. This brought pain and humiliation to prisoners. By our standards – this was a dark night. Paul and Silas were suffering, their ministry was put on holds, and their bodies were wounded. Disciples are called to a different life – a life of worship, no matter the circumstance. What did Paul and Silas do? They turned their circumstance into a sanctuary. Read what the Word of God tells us in Acts 16:25-26:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
— Acts 16:25–26
Notice Paul and Silas did not flee from the jail, they continued on even in dire circumstances. They worshiped the Lord and were faithful to proclaim him. This leads to a powerful question being asked from the one who was there guarding Paul and Silas:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
What lessons can we take from this passage?
- Worship will overcome despair
- Paul and Silas show us that our praise isn’t limited to the easy times. When the night is dark, worship helps us to refocus on God. Our pain, fear and doubt melt away in view of God’s power.
- Light will shine in the dark
- Hymns in the prison were a shining testimony to anyone with ears to hear in that jail. Often, Jesus is magnified clearly in us when our circumstance would say we have no hope. He is that hope, and is worthy of our worship.
- God will bring good out of our suffering for His glory
- The jailer shows us a sense of urgency when asking the question “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas’ lives were beacons of faith that showed the jailer the light of eternal hope in Jesus.
The Source of the Light is Jesus Christ
This account points us to remember Jesus’ own words from John 8:12:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus has overcome the darkness – so now the light of life will be evident in HIs disciples.
The Psalmist says it this way in Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
When uncertainty, doubt and fear preach to your feelings, preach the truth of the Gospel to yourself. This Psalm reminds us that we serve the very source of light, and he is the one who drives back every shadow. When we face trials and temptations to question what God is doing and why we can’t see the evidence when we want to see it – be reminded that your song of praise in the waiting may be what he uses to reach someone else. We should be a people who shine the light of Christ to our neighbors, schools, work place and families. When the world feels heavy and helpless – praise God in the midst. The world around us needs to hear the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved.” When you worship in the waiting, those in darkness will notice the light.
Closing Encouragement
Disciples of Christ, be encouraged today. The Lord is good and faithful. When you feel like the night is long, know that it will not last forever. Take the time in the midst of every circumstance to proclaim truth to your feelings. We need reminded that our God is on the throne, ruling and reigning, and is in complete control. Where you are is no surprise to God. We’re called to worship and serve Him where He has placed us. Darkness cannot overcome Him (John 1:5) – and He is the one who will be with you always.
In the Valley of Vision, one anonymous writer puts it this way:
“When I am afraid of evils to come,
comfort me by showing me
that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch,
but in Christ I am reconciled, made alive, and satisfied.”