It's Time to Praise Him!

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Think it Not Strange

We can face problems being out of the will of God

We can face problems being in the will of God

1 Peter 4:12–17 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Praise Him in the Problem

Paul and Silas had a problem in Philippi.

They were in the will of God

They cast a demon out of a young woman who was a fortune-teller

This stirred up the businessmen and the politicians against Paul and Silas.

Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten with rods.

Paul and Silas praised the Lord in the problem.

Praise Him in the Prison

The Roman guard was under special charge to keep them at the cost of his own life.

Paul and Silas were put in the maximum-security part of the prison.

Their feet were put in stocks.

They praised the Lord in their prison cell at midnight.

Praise Him in the Pain

Paul and Silas had been beaten with rods with many stripes.

Their feet were in pain in the stocks.

Paul and Silas chose to praise the Lord in their pain.

Praise Him for His Presence

Paul and Silas knew they were not alone. They knew Jesus was with them.

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

They took comfort in the presence of God among them and praised Him.

Praise Him for His Promise

Psalm 9:9 NKJV

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 27:5 NKJV

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 37:39 NKJV

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Praise Him for His Provision

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NKJV

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Praise Him for His Providence

PROVIDENCE: “God’s activity throughout history in providing for the needs of human beings, especially those who believe in him.” [Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 1092). Tyndale House Publishers.]

Romans 8:28 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Philippians 1:12 NKJV

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

What was the result of Paul and Silas praying and praising in the problem, prison, and pain?

The prisoners heard the prayers and praises of the Lord.

A great earthquake took place and opened the prison doors and loosed everyone’s chains.

The prison guard fell before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

The Roman guard and his entire household believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized.

Response to the Word

Praise Him in the PROBLEM!

Praise Him in the PRISON!

Praise Him in the PAIN!

Praise Him for His PRESENCE!

Praise Him for His PROMISE!

Praise Him for His PROVISION!

Praise Him for His PROVIDENCE!

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