SCRIPTURE READING: ACTS 16: 16-39
FOCUS: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16: 25)
MEMORY VERSE: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34: 1)
Our Focal Scripture speaks of how Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God at midnight. Paul and Silas were chained in prison, but they still chose to praise and to pray. The word ‘praise’ as used in that scripture means to magnify. So, in their chains, they chose to magnify God. They magnified their God above their problems. They didn’t praise according to their situation; they praised according to the greatness of their God.
Friend, be intentional to always magnify your God above your chains. Be intentional to always see your God as one who is greater than whatever you are dealing with. Don’t let your chains diminish your praise. Don’t let your situation diminish your God. Keep praising God even if you have no idea where your solution will come from. Keep praising God even when you are not sure if there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Paul and Silas did not focus on their chains as they praised. They focused on the God they knew. Their chain was not strong enough to stop them from singing praises to God. Instead of focusing on your chains, focus on your God and you will find reasons to praise. No matter how big your chains are, always remember that your God is bigger, and you will find reasons to keep praising Him. No matter the prison, keep praising your God.
When Paul and Silas magnified God, God decided to magnify His response. God showed up and unlocked the entire chains and prison doors and gates with an earthquake. They praised God, and God decided to make some noise in His response whilst opening the prison. When you go loud with your praise, God will go loud with His intervention. When you dare to praise God despite your chains, He will show up to rattle your chains.
Welcome to that season when you must continue to praise God despite your chains. Welcome to that season where your praise will cause heaven to break your chains.
FURTHER READING: PSALM 34
DECLARATION:
- No matter my chains, I will keep praising, in Jesus’ name!
