Sunday, 19 June 2016

Handling pain and injustice Week 25, 2016



There were many things they could have done that night. As Roman citizens their rights had been brutally denied. "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. "Act 16:37(ISV).  They could complain aloud, discuss it among themselves, or send for the lawyers. Clearly Paul was one, and was acquainted at some time with others. Even if they weren’t Roman citizens a fair trial was appropriate for any one accused of wrong doing. Instead they were summarily punished and jailed without a hearing.
The unfairness didn’t stop there. The jailer’s attitude was unbecoming, and to many this was adding salt to injury. So the jailer followed these orders and put Paul and Silas into solitary confinement with their feet in leg irons Act 16:24(GW). One might have discussed that too. Their wounds also needed attention. Severe beating on bare backs result in open wounds which if not well attended to could get infected with serious complications. Pain from such wounds is worse at nights, and can keep one awake in agony.  At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds Act 16:33(ISV). None of that was the focus of the apostles at midnight in the Phillipian jail. A time worn efficient way of handling pain is focusing elsewhere. Where is your focus when suffering?
Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them Act 16:25(ISV). God, praise to God in the midst of deprivation, wounds and injustice filled their midnight hour. Like the apostles before them they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus Act 5:41(GNB). It wasn’t a prayer for vengeance, or even deliverance from an unjust sentence. No wonder heaven was moved and there was a violent earthquake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners Act 16:26(GNB). Since their focus was on God, they had the presence of mind to call out to the jailer who was about to commit suicide.  But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, "Don't harm yourself ! We are all here!" Act 16:28(GNB).  O how many would have rejoiced at the death of the jailer and given it as a testimony. “Those who did it are now suffering for it. See what happened to the jailer! My God is alive.” But Paul and Silas reach out to their prison guard to set him free from the chains of sin and death.
Epaphras was also imprisoned. Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings Phm 1:23(GNB).  But his preoccupation appears to have been to labour in prayers, not for a release, but for the saints in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis Col 4:13(GW). If you suffer, focus on God and rejoice in Him; for when God permits His people to suffer, there is good He wants to bring by it.  Unjustly treated? In pain? Focus on others.

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