Joy of Adversity
Holy Spirit, grow in us the fruit of joy despite adversity. - Philippians 1:12-13
The Apostle Paul is in a Roman prison when he pens the letter to the church in the city of Philippi. He helped plant this church on his second missionary journey in Acts, chapter sixteen. In the sixteenth chapter, we learn that Paul and Silas were imprisoned for casting out a spirit in a woman who was a local and prominent fortune teller.
Throughout Scripture, we see instances and patterns of Christians choosing obedience by preaching the gospel; and in return, they’re often met with affliction. To be quite honest, there are various forms of suffering that I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to bear today.
While in prison, Paul and Silas are closely monitored by the jailer; and as they’re singing and praying at midnight, God shakes the foundations of the prison. Every captive is released, including Paul and Silas.
What stands out to me the most is in verse twenty-five. Luke writes that Paul and Silas were singing. Prior to that, in verse twenty-two and twenty-three, they had been flogged with rods for delivering the fortune teller.
I would challenge you today to ask yourself this question: What if the advancement of the Gospel means adversity for you? Paul and Silas respond to adversity with singing and prayer. Paul writes a letter to the church at Philippi and speaks of the joy he has in another prison cell. The early church had learned how to endure persecution and walk through suffering. They rejoiced; they gave God thanks and praise when it seemed they had no reason to.
My prayer is that we would respond the way Paul and Silas did, singing, rejoicing, and praying in the midnight hour. Can we sing in affliction? Can we rejoice in tribulation? What is the condition of our faith in Christ when we’re met with suffering. I believe suffering produces in us the fruit of joy.
Make this your prayer today: Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of joy. Teach me how to rejoice in the midnight hour.
The Apostle Paul is in a Roman prison when he pens the letter to the church in the city of Philippi. He helped plant this church on his second missionary journey in Acts, chapter sixteen. In the sixteenth chapter, we learn that Paul and Silas were imprisoned for casting out a spirit in a woman who was a local and prominent fortune teller.
Throughout Scripture, we see instances and patterns of Christians choosing obedience by preaching the gospel; and in return, they’re often met with affliction. To be quite honest, there are various forms of suffering that I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to bear today.
While in prison, Paul and Silas are closely monitored by the jailer; and as they’re singing and praying at midnight, God shakes the foundations of the prison. Every captive is released, including Paul and Silas.
What stands out to me the most is in verse twenty-five. Luke writes that Paul and Silas were singing. Prior to that, in verse twenty-two and twenty-three, they had been flogged with rods for delivering the fortune teller.
I would challenge you today to ask yourself this question: What if the advancement of the Gospel means adversity for you? Paul and Silas respond to adversity with singing and prayer. Paul writes a letter to the church at Philippi and speaks of the joy he has in another prison cell. The early church had learned how to endure persecution and walk through suffering. They rejoiced; they gave God thanks and praise when it seemed they had no reason to.
My prayer is that we would respond the way Paul and Silas did, singing, rejoicing, and praying in the midnight hour. Can we sing in affliction? Can we rejoice in tribulation? What is the condition of our faith in Christ when we’re met with suffering. I believe suffering produces in us the fruit of joy.
Make this your prayer today: Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of joy. Teach me how to rejoice in the midnight hour.
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