The full text of Acts 16:25 reads: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." What were these two gospel preachers doing in a prison in the city of Philippi at that hour of the night? They were not there paying a visit to the inmates. They themselves were among the prisoners (16:24).

What had Paul and Silas done to be treated like criminals? Among other things, the residents of Philippi had said this about them: (1) They "show unto us the way of salvation" (16:17), (2) They "do exceedingly trouble our city" (16:20), and (3) They "teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans" (16:21).

Despite any charges that men might have laid at the feet of Paul and Silas, the Bible text nowhere indicates that these two brothers in the Lord were guilty of wrongdoing against either their fellowman or the Roman government. On the contrary, they were doing what was very much needed: preaching the gospel of the Christ. Yet, here they were in jail. Welcome to the continent of Europe. Is this what God had planned for them when he spoke to Paul in a vision, saying, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us?" (16:9).

Paul and Silas may have had a thousand thoughts that went through their mind when they were stripped of their clothing, beaten, and cast into prison, where their feet were put in stocks (16:23,24). But, of all things, these two men of God "prayed and sang praises unto God" right there in the prison (16:25). There are a lot of improper reactions that Silas and Paul could have had to their unpleasant circumstances. However, to their credit they refrained from falling into such traps. There is a lot that we can learn from their attitude.

Yes, Paul and Silas were undeservedly cast into prison, but --

1. They did not point an accusing finger at God and put the blame on Him. That would have been an easy thing to do, don’t you think? I mean, after all, HE is the One that called them to come over to Macedonia to preach the gospel (16:9,10). But no, these men of God will not get upset with the Lord over their misfortune. They realized that suffering for the cause of Jesus just "comes with the territory" of faithfully following Him (2 Timothy 3:12).

2. They did not say, "It’s not worth it to serve the Lord." Some in Malachi’s day spoke blasphemous words, saying, "It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance . . ." (Malachi 3:14). Would it not have been easy for Silas and Paul to mumble those same words? Just look at what their preaching got them – a free stay in prison! Is it really worth it to follow Jesus if the kind of reward that we can expect is to be treated like a criminal? Silas and Paul’s singing and praying was their answer: despite hardships, it is worth it to live for Jesus!

3. They did not give up hope. From a human perspective which does not include God in the picture, being in jail in a foreign country would make things look rather bleak. But these two soldiers of the Christ sang and prayed with hope, knowing this truth: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Joseph the son of Jacob spent years in prison in Egypt, but three times in Genesis 39 the biblical record states that during Joseph’s imprisonment "the LORD was with him" (39:2,21,23). When we face difficult times, we need to continue to hang on to "the God of hope" (Romans 15:13).

4. They did not "call it quits." Had you and I been the ones put in prison for serving Jesus, wonder how many of us would have backed out on our commitment to follow Him for our whole life? After one of Jesus’ sermons in Capernaum, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66). What folly it is to "quit" the Lord! Surely the response of Peter was the right one: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Have you been thinking about deserting the Lord’s army because of some inconvenience or disturbance in your life? If so, you need to realize that spiritual desertion of the Savior brings something that is far more serious than a military court-martial for one who deserts an earthly army. To desert the Lord is equal to committing spiritual suicide.

5. They did not feel sorry for themselves. Again, it would have been easy to do. They could have sung the old, "I am the most pitiful person in the world" chorus. But they didn’t. Instead, they prayed and sang praises to God. Silas was later with Paul when he wrote to the saints in Thessalonica, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto" (1 Thessalonians 3:3). They certainly practiced what they preached, because they were unmoved by their circumstances! If you and I are ever tempted to tell ourselves (or cry on someone else’s shoulder) about how bad we have it, let us remember that we are probably facing that which faithful saints have faced in the past or are facing right now. ". . . knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Peter 5:9).

6. They did not say, "There is no way that we can concentrate on spiritual matters as long as our normal life is disrupted." There is no doubt that physical illness or discomfort, as well as tragedy and disappointments, can have a great affect on a person’s ability to focus on spiritual things. However, we must always strive to keep our hearts tuned to heavenly thoughts and keep the time of those temporary distractions at a minimum. Look at Silas and Paul. The jailer "thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks" (Acts 16:24). That could not have been comfortable. And, it surely disrupted their plans for the evening! Yet, what does the very next verse tell us about them? They "prayed and sang praises."

We do not hold up Paul and Silas as being sinless examples for they were not (Romans 3:23). We do take note, however, of their praying and singing under what were definitely adverse conditions. Such a response on their part ought to be an encouragement to each of us. Every one of us will face difficulties in life in one form or another. Let us all put our trust in the Lord, and with Him as our Helper get through those difficulties the best we can, ever looking to that heavenly habitation where there will be no problems of any kind.

-- Roger D. Campbell