It’s often said that difficult times reveal our true character. Throughout history, we’ve seen this in various biblical accounts. For example, there’s Cain, who killed his brother Abel after his offering was rejected by God. The Israelites complained after leaving Egypt. Job’s friends told him to deny God. The same crowd that shouted “Hosanna” when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem later shouted “crucify Him”.
These examples from the Bible, including Judas and Peter, and the first apostles who were martyred, make one wonder how they would react in difficult situations. For instance, what would you do if you were flogged, chained, and held in an inner prison cell like Paul and Silas were?
The Bible recounts that around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God while the other prisoners listened. One might wonder what they could possibly be singing about in such a situation. A more typical prayer might be, “Why, Lord? Please, Lord, I can not take this flogging anymore! I miss the comfort of my home, the smile of my wife, and the hugs of my kids. Please, Lord, will you deliver me from this situation and maybe use me in a different setting?”.
However, the scripture doesn’t reveal the specific content of their prayers and hymns. Instead, it suggests that in difficult times, prayer can bring one’s true faith to the forefront. Their actions reflect biblical verses such as Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always” , and Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High”. Their example also aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” , and Romans 12:12, to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”.
Paul and Silas modeled two key values:
- Praying and singing hymns to God is a valid response when facing difficulties.
- Even in isolation, it is possible to minister to others through prayer.
God often works in mysterious ways to bring about deliverance. In the case of Paul and Silas, an earthquake occurred, but it was localized to the prison and not the entire city of Philippi. This was because of what was going to happen next. The prison guard, the “enemy” in this story, was so affected that he asked the most important question anyone can ask: “What must I do to be saved?”. Paul and Silas’s response was, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household”. They then spoke the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his house. This demonstrates how God can save a whole nation or an individual, leaving behind the 99 to find the 1.
