The Prisoners Are Listening

It would be impossible to think that a story of suffering could bring such inspiration.  But sometimes lessons of strength and bravery are only rightly observed and accurately understood in hindsight. 

Pausing to look back should serve only to propel us forward, and it does so here in the case of Paul and Silas.  Oh especially now!

Paul and Silas are observed as having just commanded a demon to come out of a fortune teller woman who was quite successful at earning a significant income for her masters.  Upon her pleadings of her belief in their God’s ability to save, Paul’s command is satisfied, and scripture tells us that, “instantly it left her.”  (16:18b)

Her masters, notably upset, grab the men, drag them before the authorities, and demand something be done.

A mob forms, Paul and Silas are stripped and beaten, and subsequently thrown in prison.

As to not escape, the newly accused prisoners are put into the “inner dungeon” with their feet bound by shackles.

And then we see it.  Verse 25 brings me to tears every time.  “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.”

Wait.

They were singing?

I thought they were in prison?
I thought they were shackled by chains?
I thought they were wrongly accused and severely mistreated?
I thought they were in the darkness of a dirty, scary dungeon?

They were.

And yet they were found, in the darkest hour of the night… praying and singing.

But there’s something else that catches my eye.  In the middle of my own painful wrestling I would see it almost as if I’ve never read it before.  The rest of verse 25… “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”

The Passion translates it best by using one word that captures it all so perfectly.  It says this, “Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship.”

Undaunted. 
It means this = un-dismayed, not discouraged, not forced to abandon purpose and effort, undiminished in courage or valor, not giving way to fear, steadfast.

In the middle of their own despair, discouragement, and inhumane suffering, we find these two men boldly embodying the strength of their Savior, and supernaturally reversing the intended mission of hell itself.

They undauntedly used worship as warfare.
And the prisoners were observing from their cells.

And not only that - but moments later we read the result of their praise.
“Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to it's foundations.  All the doors immediately flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”  (verse 26)

Praise was the pathway to their release.
And not just so for Paul and Silas.. but “every prisoner.”
All of the prisoners benefited from the worship of two Christ followers who refused to give attention to the work of the enemy.
All of the prisoners were set free from the praises of the Jesus people who determined to live undiscouraged by circumstances, undiminished in courage and strength, and un-moved by the ugliness of injustice and the brutality of ignorance. 

They never abandoned their purpose and effort.

And I wonder… because in this time we’re all asking, “What is my role?”  “What can I do?”  “How can I raise awareness and say something that matters?”
And I say this, “Remember the ones who have gone before.  Reflect upon the story of Paul and Silas.  Watch how they behaved in matters of ultimate cruelty, and then copy the patterns of their praise.”

Sing.
Pray and sing.
Undauntingly.
Unapologetically.
Pray without ceasing.
Sing loud.

The world is watching.
And they’re learning more about Jesus from your praise than they ever will learn about Him from a world focused on the maddening disposition of the enemy seeking always to steal, kill, and destroy.

What are you focused on?
Worship is our pathway to the throne room of God.
And it invites others along with it.

The prisoners are listening… what do they hear?