Life Will Be Tough

It’s true that “Life can be tough.” It may be more true that “Life will be tough.”

That was certainly the case with the Apostle Paul.

At Philippi, Paul and Silas suffered a brutal beating not because they had done anything wrong but because they had done right. After their beating, they were thrown into the inner prison at Philippi with their ankles placed in the stocks.

The conditions in a Roman prison were notoriously bad. Their beating with rods, the conditions of the jail, and the prospects for the future could not have made things worse. Yet, Paul and Silas sang hymns and quoted Scripture. The other prisoners listened.

On my inner office study desk, I have a list of quotations. One of those says, “If Paul could sing in prison, you can at least whistle a few measures wherever you are.”

Life will be hard. How do we go on in the midst of trouble? Paul and Silas can help us.

First, Paul and Silas trusted God. They knew that the same God who called them and led them to take the gospel to Philippi would be with them in the prison.

Though they had no idea what God would do, they trusted God. God used an earthquake to open the doors of the prison and remove the ankle chains.

Second, they knew that God works through every circumstance. Would this event have precipitated Paul’s understanding that God redeems and uses every circumstance for good? “For we know that God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Third, they looked at circumstances as opportunities instead of obstacles. Their trust and commitment led to the salvation of the Philippian jailer and his household. I’ve often wondered, “Would the prisoners have listened to Paul and Silas if their conditions had been good?” When we live for God and honor Him in bad times, people listen and God is exalted.

Even in the midst of awful circumstances, God brought people to Himself and the church grew in number and influence.

What will God do through your pain as you trust Him?

Each day I write a devotional about Christian living and pastoral leadership. If you would like to receive your free daily copy, you can sign up at waylonbailey.com or in the box below.


 

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