I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. One of the things it is famous for is the territorial prison. I’ve been there many times and seeing those small cells and the iron ring in the wall that prisoners were chained to always makes an impact. It helps me visualize different stories in the Bible.
Paul and SIlas had been arrested for casting a devil out of a woman. They were beaten and thrown into the inner prison. They were chained in a dirty prison cell, and they were in the dark. They knew they were being treated unfairly. They had plenty of reason to complain and bemoan their situation.
What did they do? They sang!
And not quietly, they sang loud enough for the other prisoners to hear them. Seriously. Singing at midnight in a dirty jail cell – what was there to sing about?
“Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say, ‘For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.’
37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 ERV
Paul wrote these words. He and Silas were in that prison cell. He knew that he had complete victory through Christ and that nothing could separate him from God’s love. That’s what put a song in his heart.
As they were singing, God brought the victory in the form of an earthquake.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off. 27 The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!’
29 The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said to him, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” Acts 16:25-31 ERV
Paul and Silas were free but they didn’t run to escape. They stayed to share the Good News of God’s love with their jailer!
Let me ask you, have you been badly mistreated and abused? Locked away and forgotten? Are you in a prison of your own making?
You’re not alone!
God is right there with you – nothing will separate you from His love. Let that really sink into your heart – it will cause you to sing at midnight and in singing praises to the Lord, your heart will come to a place of peace and the prison doors will open.
Rest well! God is bigger than your prison and stronger than your chains.