Contrast

 

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening" (Acts 16:25).

The above verse begins with the word "but", which leads us to a contrast or a change of direction in the narrative which might be unexpected. You see, Paul and Silas had been arrested, beaten with many stripes, and thrown into the darkest, coldest part of the prison at Philippi without any trial. One might expect the noise coming from Paul and Silas' cell to be cursing or complaining, "but" what was heard was the peace of prayer and worship unto God. Notice too, that the other prisoners were listening, and we can only imagine how amazed they must have been by this powerful witness.

The way we live our lives in Christ ought to serve as a contrast to the world. How we respond when we suffer loss or are hurt or offended can be a powerful testimony. Just as the inmates in that dark prison listened to Paul and Silas, there are neighbors and co-workers and relatives watching and listening to us. When something difficult or hurtful happens, and they expect to see anger or vengeance in us, "but" see peace and forgiveness, it speaks volumes of the reality of Jesus in our hearts.

Paul and Silas were not robotic Christians who felt no physical or emotional pain. They most certainly hurt, but in the midst of the hurt they magnified the Lord so they were able to respond as the Lord, and it was dynamic. What an example we have here from Paul and Silas, I pray it will stir us to be different, and be determined to live as powerful testimonies to our Jesus.