Act 16:23-25
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
In the midst of trials, can you praise and thank God?
Paul and Silas were whipped and thrown into prison for exorcising a demon possessed woman. How did they respond to their situation? Did they ask, “How can God allow bad things to happen to us?” Did they complain to God that they did not deserve such ill treatment? No, they prayed and sang praise songs. And they did it so loudly that all the other prisoners heard them.
In the midst of your darkest hour, when you are in the dungeon, when you have lost hope, when you are in a situation you do not deserve, when you are bound, it is the time to loudly pray and thank God.
“The Christian should meet adverse circumstances of life not with a spirit of stoic resignation but with a spirit of unfailing gratitude.”
Hiebert
“People become worried, anxious, and fearful because they do not trust in God’s wisdom, power, or goodness. They fear that God is not wise enough, strong enough, or good enough to prevent disaster. It may be that this sinful doubt is because their knowledge of Him is faulty, or that sin in their lives has crippled their faith. Thankful prayer brings release from fear and worry, because it affirms God’s sovereign control over every circumstance, and that His purpose is the believer’s good.”
MacArthur
Thanking God is recognizing God is in control and has a purpose for everything, including trials.
It is not the situations that leads our minds into darkness, but it is not thanking God that leads us down the path of darkness.
Rom 1:21 – Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
When we thank God in times of trouble, it will cause the very foundations to shake. The forces imprisoning us will be opened. The chains that bind us will be broken.
Act 16:26 NIV – 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.
Open your heart to God and pour out your burdens. Thank him for whatever situation you are in.
Phl 4:6 NLT – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Rev 7:12 NLT – They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”