Paul | Daily Encouragement

“Now, concerning myself, I want you to know, my brothers, that what has happened to me has, in effect, turned out to the advantage of the Gospel. For, first of all, my imprisonment means a personal witness for Christ before the palace guards not to mention others who come and go. Then, it means that most of our brothers, somehow taking fresh heart in the Lord from the very fact that I am a prisoner for Christ’s sake, have shown far more courage in boldly proclaiming the Word of God.” (Philippians 1:12-14, Phillips)

Do you regard the various inconveniences, trials, and difficulties you encounter as beneficial for the advancement of the Gospel we hold dear? Or, do you use each as an occasion for self-pity and complaint?

God never gives us more than we are able to carry with His help; nor does God put us into situations that are beyond His grace. When we embrace the same attitude in each trial that was in our brother Paul, we will become as Paul was: A personal witness for Christ, and an encouragement to others to be likewise.

Most of us like the idea of being God’s voice in the “palace,” preferring our designation to be “the adviser,” not “the prisoner.” Our attraction to such ideas is understandable, reasonable, and so human; but, so unlike God! If, in the Incarnation, God chose to enter human history as a working-class infant in a race of marginalized people, we should not be surprised when God sends us into situations through the back door or through the “service entrance.” – Luther

Tagged Paul, prisoner, testimony, the book of Philippians, trial

July 17

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“The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.” (Acts 16:27-32, NIV)

It isn’t about us.

When God permits the suffering of His saints without apparent cause; and when He allows pain and various humiliations into the lives of His children, we need to remind ourselves that it isn’t about us.

God so loved the jailer and his household that he permitted the illegal confinement and humiliation of two of His most productive people in order that through their faithful testimony in adversity His grand plan for humanity (e. g. the salvation of the world through Jesus) might be realized.

In our weakness, we would prefer that those in need would come to us in our bright, shining, sanctuaries of holiness. However, it pleases God to send His people into the dark, adverse, and gritty places because that is where the light is most needed. It is both our duty and our privilege to bear that light! – Luther

Tagged adversity, bearing witness, God's will, Paul, Silas, suffering, the book of Acts

July 14

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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 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. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!'” (Acts 16:25-28, NIV)

It is axiomatic: When praises to God go up, the power of God comes down.

This is illustrated by today’s scripture. Even in the midst of their pain, and the apparent wrongness of their situation (they were doing a good thing, remember; for God, no less); Paul and Silas found reasons to pray and to sing!

Allow your prayer and your praises to God to rise in every circumstance, and you will see the power of God arrive and transform sorrow into joy.

Remember: When praises go up; power comes down. – Luther