A Daily Devotion for Thursday, September 14

Acts 16:25

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

This verse is imbedded in a story of Paul and Silas' imprisonment and release. They were wrongly accused and thrown into prison. Paul and Silas do not cease with their prayers, and they even are singing- loud enough that the other prisoners are listening. God causes the earth to rumble, the prison doors open, and He releases Paul and Silas. The jailer is amazed and begs to know God. It is a great event- but this small piece, the singing of hymns while imprisoned is so beautiful. If I imagine myself wrongly accused, beaten, and then put in chains in prison, can I also imagine singing hymns loud enough for other prisoners (and guards) to hear? This illustrates to me just how central music was (and still is) to our communication with God.

Holy Lord, I will continue to worship you fully through song. I thank you for this gracious gift. Amen

Becky, transforming