REJOICE IN THE LORD (part 4)- Elisha & His servant at the war front: Paul and Silas in prison
ELISHA AND HIS SERVANT
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.”2 Kings 6:15-18
Elisha had peace in his heart even though they were surrounded with an army far more than what their own strength can do. His servant just like most of us fret in the face of the challenges and even forget about God’s providence in time past. Elisha had what his servant didn’t have; joy in the Lord. Elisha had to pray for God to open the eyes of his servant to catch a glimpse of the joy he was experiencing. When the servant saw the host of the heavenly army, fear left him.
PAUL AND SILAS IN PRISON
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 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. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household”- Acts 16:25-34.
Paul and Silas have been in Prison for just preaching the word. Their attitude towards their predicament was amazing. They chose to sing and praise God. The other prisoners were looking at them in bewilderment because they know how being in prison feels like. A man full of joy is a man who doesn’t allow circumstances around them to detect their mood. They choose to sing and through their worship, God came through for them. I don’t know what is keeping you in bondage but I pray as you trust the Lord in worship and praise, your mouth will be full of testimonies. Say Amen.
