The Darkest Places

Acts 16:25-28 

“25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 

Paul and Silas were thrown into the innermost cell of the prison, which would have been the darkest cell.  Their legs were locked in stocks and their wrists were in chains that were fastened to the wall.  

Yet, they prayed and sang hymns to God. In the deepest, darkest cell, in inhuman conditions, Paul and Silas were singing praises to God’s glory and mercy.  And their fellow prisoners listened.

God is present and at work….even in the darkest places.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)