No Matter What
The inspiration that comes from faith can empower a person to do what’s best, no matter what! Apostle Paul often faced no matter what circumstances – here’s one of them.
Acts 16: 16-24 Once, when we (Paul and Silas) were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!” At that moment, the spirit left her.
19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Most people in a dire situation like this would complain and question God and his will for their lives, but not Paul and Silas. Instead, they were praising and worshiping God in the middle of this dark time. While the entire prison listened to their praise and worship, a supernatural miracle from God happened. Suddenly a violent earthquake shook the prison, and all of their chains came off, and the prison doors flew open. The jailer in charge came trembling to Paul and Silas and asked them how to be saved. Paul explained the gospel to him, and he and his whole household became believers and were baptized that very night.
Acts 16:33-34 “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”
Wow! Wounded and bleeding, Paul and Silas were praising and worshiping God. This is the power of genuine faith in God! When anyone truly believes God, the result will be praise, worship, and joy. Yes, believing God produces an internal joy that will cause a person to praise and worship God, no matter what!
King David also knew what it was like to be in very dark and challenging places, and he said it like this, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 David’s faith in God also inspired him to write, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips, my mouth will praise you. On my bed, I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:3-7
Those who know the truth of God’s love, grace, protection, and provision can do what apostle Paul urged the Roman church to do – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Phil 4:4
The peace and purpose that come from believing God is so powerful that it can cause the Spirit of joy to flood your being! No matter what you face, if you believe God and cast your cares upon him, this same joy will fill your heart, flood your soul, and bring great empowerment to your situation! Remember, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Rom 10:17
No matter what you’re facing, God is right there with you; all you need to do is trust him! God will never let you down – He is always faithful? When you know the truth about God, you can be like the apostles’ Paul and Silas and praise God…
No Matter What