Paul and Silas had come to Philippi in obedience to a vision. A businesswoman named Lydia had already believed, and a small church was starting. Then trouble came. Their ministry to a troubled slave girl led to a riot, a beating and a night in the inner prison with their feet locked in stocks. Most of us would complain or despair. Instead, at midnight, they prayed and sang. This is the last study in our series, and it shows the power of praise in pain and the simple way of salvation.
Freedom That Cost Something
A slave girl followed Paul and Silas for many days, crying out that they were servants of the most high God. She had a spirit of divination, and her masters made much money from her fortune-telling. Paul, grieved, turned and commanded the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, and it came out that same hour. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18), and He gave His followers authority in His name (Mark 16:17). But when her masters saw their hope of money was gone, they dragged Paul and Silas to the rulers. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Setting one girl free cost them a beating and a prison cell. Doing right is not always rewarded right away.
What good thing are you hesitating to do because it might cost you money, comfort or reputation, and what step will you take anyway this week?
Praise in the Dark
The rulers tore off their clothes, had them beaten with many stripes, and threw them into the inner prison. Their feet were fastened in the stocks. They were bruised, bleeding and in the dark. Yet at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. That is a sermon all by itself. The psalmist said that in the night God’s song would be with him (Psalm 42:8). David vowed to bless the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1). Praise in pain is not pretending. It is choosing to trust God’s character when circumstances are hard. Paul later wrote that we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Suddenly a great earthquake shook the prison, every door opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed.
What midnight situation are you facing right now, and which worship song or psalm will you deliberately sing or pray through it this week?
The Jailer’s Question
The jailer woke up, saw the open doors, and drew his sword to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had fled. Paul cried out, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. The trembling jailer fell down before them and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Their answer was simple: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). It comes when we confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptized. He set food before them and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Like Joshua, he chose to serve the Lord with his family (Joshua 24:15).
Which member of your household or extended family still needs Jesus, and how will you share this simple message with them this week?
Conclusion
In Philippi, Paul and Silas freed a slave girl, suffered for it, and still sang praises at midnight. God shook the prison, but the greatest miracle was a jailer and his whole family coming to Jesus. This closes our journey through Acts, and it sums it up well: Spirit-filled believers, faithful in hardship, pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. The same Jesus still saves anyone who believes, and He still gives His people a song in the night.
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