He's A Chain Breaker

I was doing dishes this morning and started singing "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams. I only know the chorus by heart which goes

If you've got pain

He's a pain taker

If you feel lost

He's a way maker

If you need freedom or saving

He's a prison shaking Savior

If you've got chains

He's a chain breaker

As I sang it over and over again I started to think of Paul and Silas with the prison shaking Savior line. I went over the story from memory. As I cruised through my remembrance of the story a fact I overlooked countless times stood out. Paul and Silas' chains came off, but they didn't leave the prison immediately.

In Acts 16 the whole story is laid out. Paul and Silas end up in jail after being severely beaten (verses 22-24). The bible says at midnight they were praying and singing to God and the other prisoners were listening. A massive earthquake then shook the prison and the prison doors opened and all the prisoners chains fell off (verse 25, 26).

There's a few points from this story I'd like to emphasize.

The deliverance of one cost Paul and Silas their freedom.

In verses 16-19 we learn why they were first arrested. Paul delivered a demon possessed slave girl. Her owners were making money off of her visions and fortunes so, they weren't pleased with Paul and Silas. He ruined their meal ticket. Paul could have let the girl stay in her "chains" or bondage, but He used the name of Jesus to free her. In turn he ended up in physical chains. Sometimes doing the right thing costs us something, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have done it.

I think of countless stories I've heard of Christians standing on their principles and choosing not to sin by going along with a corrupt boss or manager. Sometimes it works out in their favor and they get promoted. Yet, sometimes they've ended up fired. For a moment you might think well what was the point of doing the right thing if it cost you you're job or in this story's case, your freedom?

Galatians 6:7-9 says " Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. "

If we focus only on immediate reactions or results we can easily be discouraged and see doing the right thing as getting us nowhere. Yet, if we trust God's word, He will reward us. That job you lost may set you up for the job you were really meant to have. Case in point, when we felt God call me to be a stay at home mom, I automatically assumed things would go our way. Steve would get a pay increase and/or promotion. I mean we were stepping out in faith and doing God's will right? Instead after I quit, his hours were dramatically cut. On the surface it may have looked like we missed the mark. However don't assume that you made a miss step when you step out in faith and things fall apart. Trouble or hard times is not always a true indicator of sin, or being out of God's will.

After we moved from PA to NY, within 2 months Steve found a new job. It was through a temp agency, but it was full time in his field, making the most money he ever had. Within 6 months he was hired permanently and even more blessings came. The insurance was the best we've ever had and cheapest out of pocket. He has more vacation time at any starting position he's held, along with paid sick time. Had we judged our situation by the immediate things that followed, we could've given up. Moreover, just like Galatians says, don't grow weary in doing good. Our obedience to God was our "doing good". We were allowing Him to guide our path. He doesn't always show us the entire path because that might make us too scared to travel it, but His path is always best. We'll realize that if we don't give up.

Paul and Silas ' chains fell off, but they did not leave.

They could have easily left the prison and went on about their ministry. They could've chalked it up as God vindicating them for the false imprisonment. Instead they stayed. We may be eager to get out of a difficult situation, but the mission isn't over yet. The jailer in verse 27 realized what happened and what would happen to him thinking all the prisoners escaped. He was about to take his own life when Paul stopped him. None of the prisoners actually left. The jailer immediately knew it was God who had done this miracle and asked Paul and Silas how to be saved (verses 28-30). Later the jailer brought Paul and Silas to his house and cared for and washed their wounds. Then the jailer's whole family was saved and baptized (verses 31-34). They needed to stay in the prison because God would use them to bring salvation to an entire household. That is more important in the long run than them escaping into the night.

We may be eager to get out of our prison or difficult situation, but God hasn't truly released us because there's more to do. If we keep the focus purely on ourselves and our comfort, we may miss that task. Even still, while we are waiting to leave that prison cell, we can still have peace and joy. Paul and Silas were singing praises to God at midnight. Midnight is a time when you may want to give up. You may think it's too late for help to arrive and then suddenly the earth shakes, doors are opened, and chains fall off. God can show up at any time and in an instant loose us from the bondage. Don't wait to praise Him until He shows up. Praise Him, worship Him and then watch Him show up. God's kingdom works contrary to the world. You act in faith first and then see it.

In closing, there may be some difficult situations you're in because you did the right thing. You may feel like you're paying a price for that. Know that God in time will reward you. While you wait for your prison to be opened, see what God is wanting to show you. When the doors do open, don't rush out. Is there more God wants you to do? Who does God want you to bring out of the prison with you? Has He strategically placed you in this situation to reach an otherwise unreachable person? God is always strategic. He is never coincidental or accidental because He loves all of us and doesn't want anyone left behind. Remember to stay prayerful in this difficult season. Don't miss that person or persons that were in their jail cell waiting for you to show up.