What reason do we have for joy?

What reason?

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them," (Acts 16:25 ESV)

In jail for the gospel, Paul and Silas sing. Have you ever thought about why?

There was an unseen Presence in the cell with them, and that Presence comforted them and gave them joy. There was something bigger than the cell, bigger than the jail, bigger than the moment, and bigger than their lives; the call of the gospel was bigger. Not only that, it was joy to be so close, so in tune, and so on mission for Jesus that circumstances could not steal delight. There was also an opportunity to witness, as many "prisoners were listening to them."

There were reasons not to sing, it seems. Jail, trial, rejection, and the possibility of violent persecution. Whew! what a list!

That Presence was bigger than those problem.
God's purposes were better than their predicament.
God's power was greater than circumstances persuasion.

God's comfort was sweeter than the world's curses.God's fellowship was more rewarding than the world's cruelty.
God's sending was more meaningful than the world's custody.

So, they sang.

What about your circumstances today? Turn your eyes on Jesus.

Remember the gospel.
Seek the Savior.
Be ye filled of the Spirit.
Receive the Father.

Many will miss the unseen Presence, but we who know Him respond to Him, even as we suffer and face trial. So, we sing. We faint not. We press on. We keep doing good. We love. We go.