“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” – Acts 16:25
Most, if not all, of us who read this verse can recall the account of Paul and Silas in prison. What landed them there? There was a young lady who had the spirit of divination, and her soothsaying made her master much gain. I find it interesting that the evil spirit in her testified to the fact, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” See, even the spirit of the underworld knows salvation. After many days of this, Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her. The same hour the spirit came out of her, and her master’s hope for gain was gone.
For exceedingly troubling the city, Paul and Silas were imprisoned, beaten and put into not just prison but the inner prison with their feet fast in stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God. Every door was opened, and every inmate’s bonds were loosed. Even at the darkest hour in the middle of imprisonment, Paul and Silas never lost their joy.
Do we really realize the power of joy? Joy is a choice that is not defined by situations, circumstances, lineage, finances, nor location. Joy can’t be taken, stolen, nor lifted. No matter where I find myself, joy is an inside thing, not an outward expression controlled by outside forces.
Have you come to realize joy is transferrable? If you do not believe me, then get up and walk down the hall at work singing, smiling, or laughing. Take time to compliment your co-workers, friends, family, and even spouses, and watch the atmosphere in the room, company, or home change. It might surprise you that if you continue in joy, that all those around you might become free from the things they are embattled by.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize the power of joy.