I’m really thankful for Bible passages like the following…
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them (Paul and Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 16:23-34
I don’t know what kind of chain you may find yourself in right now (marriage/family issues, self-pity, financial needs, job difficulties, health matters, fear), but, like God did for Paul and Silas, I know that chains ended up showing me how mighty God is in His ability to set captives free. I can now see that things that seemed like chains in my life are now being used to help others see that our faithful God can build a testimony that can help others be set free. I know it sounds funny and backwards, but ultimately, apparent chains bring us His joy.
Jesus is such a trustworthy, loving Redeemer. It’s just amazing the things He does… ☺
Feeling beaten down and chained up like Paul and Silas? Praise the Lord. Maybe someone who’s also chained up will hear you and, as a result, come to Jesus.
Yep, He’s working all things together for the good of those who love Him. He’s doing right now in each of our lives…
God bless,
Mark