About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:25-26)
Paul and Silas had been beaten. Their backs were bloody. But at midnight, when our problems always seem worse, they sang and praised God. I can imagine the jailer and the other prisoners thought they were crazy. They must have thought: if Paul and Silas’s God gives them joy after being beaten, I want that God for myself.
When we learn to praise God and be happy in any situation, God will bless us greatly as He did Paul and Silas. Northern Macedonia has earthquakes, so the earthquake wasn’t unusual. God’s timing was supernatural to show us that God blesses us when we praise him in the midst of our troubles. Our chains come loose when we are happy in any situation. The bullies, scammers, and others who take advantage have no effect on us. We are free from the enemy.
Father God, I praise you for Your freedom through Jesus. Thank you for freedom from the enemy and the blessings I’ll receive when I praise you instead of complain during adverse circumstances. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen..