Acts 16:16-40
As Paul and Timothy were going to the place of prayer at Philippi they were attracted by an unfortunate girl possessed by a demon. She was used by her owners to make money for them. She “brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.” They traded upon her supposed inspiration, using her as a fortune teller. Paul was disturbed by her following him, and, being sore troubled on her behalf, he turned and said to the spirit, “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Instantly the demon obeyed, and the girl was left sane. Her owners, however, were very angry, and had Paul arrested and dragged before the magistrates.
The missionaries were cast into a dungeon, but nothing could make prisoners of them. They refused to be crushed by the sufferings through which they had passed. They had been beaten by many stripes, and then, when brought into the prison, were put into the lower dungeon, their feet being made fast in stocks. At midnight a strange thing happened. The prisoners in other parts of the prison heard praying and singing. It seemed a strange time and place for a prayer meeting. It is not so surprising to hear of men praying in such circumstances, for even wicked men turn to God in distress, but it is certainly unusual to hear hymns in a dungeon. Most people are in the singing mood only when their condition is pleasant, and too often a very small trouble hushes every voice of song. But here were men singing in the midst of greatest suffering. What was the secret? It was their strong faith in God. These missionaries had learned to rejoice even in tribulations. They had the peace of God in their hearts. Christ was with them in their prison, and instead of being cast down, they rejoiced.
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