Acts 16:19-40
Paul and Silas were proclaiming the Gospel and seeing people saved, and their efforts made evil men very upset. They were beat and thrown in prison, not for any wrongdoing, but because they were serving the Lord. This throws quite the wrench into the “prosperity gospel” philosophy, but it is a clear fact that it will not always be easy serving the Lord. My attention is drawn to the fact that they do not become mad or bitter at God for their mistreatment, in fact, they still do right even in the hard times. Here are a few principles from this passage:
- Will Not Always Be Easy.
Christ told His disciples that “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), and Paul told Timothy that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Doing right is not the easiest way, but it’s always the best way. What is easy is not always right, and what is right is not always easy.
- Stay Encouraged.
Though they were beaten and now locked up in prison, they still “sang praises unto God” (vs. 25). If your eyes are on God and not your problems, you will always have a reason to sing. Times might be tough, but the command remains to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4). No matter the trials you find yourself in, you can “count it all joy” (James 1:2). Keep your eyes on the Savior and not on your circumstances!
- The Reward Comes Later.
It’s wonderful seeing fruit (people saved, Christians growing, lives improving, property purchased, new ministry starting, etc.), but fruit isn’t always visible on our timetable. Sometimes God allows His servants to see fruit, but sometimes it’s under the surface. This is not easy, and many times we wrongly identify ourselves with the fruit. The fruit is to belong to God, for His glory, not ours. This is one of the greatest temptations, in my opinion, for God’s servants.
Whether the fruit is visible or not, or immediate or not, fruit always comes after the work. The plant doesn’t grow before the seed is planted. The reward will come after. This tells us that firstly, God is in charge of the increase, and secondly, we must plant and water if we expect the reward. If we give up before time, we may never see the fruit/reward (Galatians 6:9).
Paul and Silas initially did right, and then maintained the right attitude when going through this difficult time. Because they continued doing right, “the prisoners heard them” (vs. 25). There’s always others watching your life, especially when you’re going through hard times (it’s the test to see if you will live what you preach). And now, because of their example, they were able to see the jailer and his family saved. If they would’ve gotten mad, quit preaching, denied when caught, or kept silent, they would’ve not seen the reward. Continue on, dear servants, for the reward always comes after the labor, and in the time the Lord deems right.