Psalms 22:3 But You are Holy, O You who inhabits the praises of your people.

 

For the past several days, we have been discussing the incident found in the Book of Acts 16 when Paul and Silas were in prison. The spiritual application of this incident is incredibly important and significant in the life of every believer.

 

In the most horrible of conditions, it was the prayers and praise offered up by Paul and Silas that resulted in God shaking the foundation of the prison which caused every cell door to be opened and all the chains to fall off every prisoner.

 

Paul and Silas brought the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ to that dark, damp prison, which was representative of the evil world controlled by Satan. The praises of Paul and Silas changed the entire atmosphere in the prison that night both in the natural and in the spiritual.

 

Every door in the prison was open and all of the prisoners were free from the chains but none of them escaped. They could have all run out of the prison, but they chose to stay with Paul and Silas in the Presence of God.

 

When the jailer saw what had happened, he picked up his sword and was about to commit suicide. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had all fled. (Acts 16:27) But then Paul said to him, Do yourself no harm: For we are all here. (Acts 16:28)

 

Satan’s world with all his demons and fallen angels only results in sin, pain, suffering, fear, bondage, depression, and death. This is a word picture of the prison we have been reading about in Acts 16. Jesus is the Light of the world. His Presence changes the atmosphere and brings Light and Joy to the darkness.

 

My friends, God inhabits the praises of His people. We are His people. He wants us to trust Him implicitly in every situation no matter how bleak it may seem. Nothing could have been more bleak and frightening than what Paul and Silas experienced in that prison that night. However, they had enough faith in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross to offer up their situation to God and sing praises to His Holy Name. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name. (Hebrews 13:15)

 

The praises of God’s people will……….turn the tide……….in this evil world!

 

In the midst of it all, I give Him all the praise!         Doreen

 

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