Chains fall off and Doors Open Part Two

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately, all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.'     Acts 16:26   NKJV

Paul and Silas and been arrested, beaten with Rods and then chained into the inner prison. This was the smelliest and most horrid part of the prison. However, instead of complaining about their situation, they were praising God and the other prisoners were listening to them. What a witness is that. It would have been alien to them that anyone should be singing praises to God after such treatment and this would no doubt have a lasting affect on some of them.

There was an earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. This is quite similar to Isaiah's  experience when the worship was so loud that the posts of the door were shaken. (Isaiah 6:3-4). Praise changes things; God shakes things up when we give Him this sacrifice of praise - because at times such as this, that's what it is.

Praise breaks chains - chains of bondage, addiction, depression and everything else. Praise brings release; release to times of despair, pain, hurt and total fear and frustration. Praise is what God requires from us and He will always respond to this.

Note here, it was not only the prisoners who were listening to their worship. Paul and Silas were listening too. When we praise God, it builds us up too. The chains that are holding us back, break loose. This is why, at times, we may find it difficult to praise God. Sometimes, we just don't want to. We're being held back and it's the evil one who is doing it; because, he knows that if we praise God, things will change, he will not be able to control our situation. The power for him will be too great and he will have to flee. He just cannot stand praise because he knows that he will have to try and figure out another way of stopping us because this one hasn't worked. So break free and start praising.

Praise changes our direction. It opens the way for us to see more clearly, the road ahead. God has a plan for us and as we get into this place of worship, He will reveal it to us. But don't forget His Word too. We need to balance reading our bibles and worshipping God, so that we have the right formula.

Whatever place you are in today, start to praise Him and watch things change. Watch the chains fall off and the doors open for you and whoever you're praying for. 

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com