How Worship Opens Locked Doors

“After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
Acts 16:23-26 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

It’s been one of those weeks that just shakes me to my core. When blow after blow of bad news hits and my tears pour out before the Lord, wondering what He’s doing when I don’t see the answer yet. What can I do as I wait?

Worship.

That sounds so counter-intuitive to worship God when our lives are in shambles, and yet that’s exactly what Paul and Silas did. They were severely flogged, shackled in stocks, and thrown into prison. In that dark inner cell, their voices could be heard throughout the prison as they were praying and singing hymns to God. If I were a fellow prisoner listening, I imagine that I would be in awe of their peace and their hearts as they worshipped.

As they sang, God opened doors! An earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, and the cell doors flew open as everyone’s chains broke loose! What a beautiful picture of the spiritual freedom we experience as we worship!

I’m in a season of praying for God to open doors. As I wait, I can choose to worship God, knowing His character never changes. The chains of my fears and doubts will break as I praise the One who holds the universe in His hands. When I’m worshipping, I’m not worrying.

What are you waiting for, dear one? Worship! God, and others, may be listening to the testimony of your worship that speaks loudly of your trust in Jesus, the One who never fails. Paul and Silas’ story goes on to result in the jailer and his whole household being saved! You never know what the impact of your worship may lead to. Break the chains of worry and fear today as you boldly worship your Savior!