Attitude

DEVOTION

THE BOOK OF ACTS

ATTITUDE

Acts 16:25-28

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 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. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

NIV

We just saw the judge ordered them flogged and throw in jail with their feet firmly entrapped by stocks, a form of wooden holding devise that would be impossible to escape from. Their situation seemed a bit hopeless to say the least, but their behavior would indicate they were not in despair as they were praying and singing hymns to God. We could focus on what God does here, which we will get to but it is interesting they were singing hymns to God. This does cause the question if our singing, our worship, the words of our songs are actually directed to God. It does seem some of our hymns are indeed focused on God, and could be directed to him, but there are some that seem are more directed to other people, then to God. When we pray and sing hymns to God we are indeed lifted into his throne room spiritually and this must have been the situation with Paul and Silas as it appears they were not much concerned about their physical situation at all. Now as far as them praying and singing hymns to God we see God in action, whether that was a result of their praying and singing or whether God was already about to do what he did, they were still experiencing the power of God at work in a real and personal way. Although we can be assured God will act when we are in need, as he did here, we also could focus on the attitude and behavior of Paul and Silas. This could be one of the many life lessons we could learn here. Although times might look grime, and we might be going through a difficult situation it does not mean we should forgo prayer and singing hymns to God. That is to say our attitude should not get negative or we should not become discouraged or fall into despair for our God is more than able to deliver us. Perhaps the reason we are not seeing the power of God in action is because of our attitude that is not conforming to one of praising him in prayer and hymns. It certainly appears that even though we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds and strength we might have to endure some hardships as we see Paul and Silas going through here. Just because they were believers it did not mean God kept them from every harm, but it does mean he used their situation to show his power and might thus ultimately bringing people to him. By saving Paul and Silas, he saved many more. We might have to endure some hardships but we must also continue to pray, praise God, with hymns and have an attitude of praise and thanks and as a result God will use us to bring more souls to salvation. It is all about our attitude.