”One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that. When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, “These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order.” By this time, the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood. The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum-security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them. Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.” (Acts 16:16-26 The Message Bible)
Let me complete the sentence started in the title above for this Monday Short meditation. “Beaten up, roughed up, and chained up… because you spoke up or stood up for the Lord.” In other words, you just looked up! When you face similar situations, do exactly like Paul and Silas and hold your own praise service wherever you are, physically, emotionally, economically, or spiritually. Even if you are in the darkest place in life, just as Paul and Silas were in the deep, inner prison, start praying and singing in a robust way to God. See how quickly you will be released from whatever is that has you bound or whatever is keeping you from seeing the light of day, figuratively. The Lord! Let me finish that thought! The Lord, He will, yes He will, the Lord will bring you out. And not only will you benefit, but as in the text above, others around you will benefit.
Store the message of the meditation in your spiritual toolbox and pull it out when you need it! You can use it as often as necessary. Then for a second message that I will not elaborate on this morning, look at the woman in the opening verses and be reminded that spreading the word of God is not a business, but it is a blessed responsibility. Have a good start to your Monday morning my friend! Be blessed!
“Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!” The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!” (Acts 16: 27-31 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King