Date: Saturday, 20th April, 2024
Text: Acts 16:16- 37
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Many of us tend to believe that when things are going well, it signifies that God is with us; and when things become stormy or rough, it means that God is far away. This is far from the truth! The only thing that drives God’s presence away is sin, not storms or bad times.
When Joseph found himself in the dark period of his life (in prison), the Bible said, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Genesis 39:21
As long as you remain righteous and holy, no matter what bad times you go through, he has promised never to leave you nor forsake you, whether in the heat of fire or in the cold valley of the shadow of death- Isaiah 43:2. Remain in the love of Christ and all things will work together for your good in Jesus name- Romans 8:28
In contrast, a man can live in physical luxury all his life and be devoid of God’s presence; if you don’t believe ask the rich man in the 16th chapter of Luke. He was a candidate of Hell though he was financially ‘successful’- Luke 16:19-31.
Praise becomes more sacrificial when you do it when it appears you have “no reason” to. Paul and Silas were arrested for casting out the demon in a girl possessed with a familiar spirit. Through this demon, she predicted the future and earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They were framed up as ‘criminals’ out to disturb the peace of the society. Thus, they suffered severe torture and were jailed. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the presence of God came down mightily in an earthquake. And their prison doors were flung open.
Their affliction eventually led to the salvation of the prison jailer and his entire household- Acts 16:16- 37. Your current situation will lead to a mighty testimony in Jesus name.
Reflective Nugget: God’s presence is highly provoked when you praise him when the weather is rough and stormy.