Praising God: Trust and Transformation in Trials

Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we gathered to explore the profound power of praise, especially when it seems counterintuitive. We delved into the story of Paul and Silas from Acts 16, who, despite being unjustly imprisoned and beaten, chose to praise God. Their praise led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them and ultimately resulted in the salvation of their jailer and his family. This story illustrates that praising God in dire circumstances demonstrates our trust in Him over our situation.

We also examined the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. These three men faced a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden statue. Their bold declaration of faith, even in the face of death, was a form of praise that led to their miraculous deliverance and the transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar's heart.

Praising God in difficult times does several things: it shows our trust in Him, allows Him to display His power and glory, changes our perspective, and enables us to minister to others. It also brings about a deep spiritual transformation within us. When we praise, we shift our focus from our problems to God's goodness, which can profoundly change our outlook and our lives.

### Key Takeaways

1. Trust Over Circumstance: Praising God in difficult situations shows that we trust Him more than our circumstances. Paul and Silas, despite being beaten and imprisoned, chose to sing hymns and pray, demonstrating their unwavering faith in God's goodness. This act of trust can be a powerful testimony to others and a source of strength for ourselves. [43:09]

2. God's Power and Glory: When we praise God in our darkest moments, we make room for Him to show up with power and glory. The earthquake that freed Paul and Silas and the unscathed escape of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace are vivid examples of how God can intervene miraculously when we choose to praise Him. [53:14]

3. Perspective Shift: Praise changes our perspective, helping us see God's presence and purpose in our circumstances. Even if our situation doesn't change immediately, our outlook does. This shift can lead to personal growth and a deeper trust in God, as seen in the lives of Paul, Silas, and the three Hebrew men. [56:10]

4. Ministering to Others: Our praise in difficult times can be a powerful witness to others. Paul and Silas's decision to stay in the prison after the earthquake led to the salvation of the jailer and his family. Similarly, the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego influenced King Nebuchadnezzar to honor God. Our actions can have a ripple effect, impacting those around us in ways we might never fully understand. [59:51]

5. Deep Spiritual Transformation: Praise can lead to profound spiritual change. It shifts our focus from what we lack to the blessings we have, fostering a sense of gratitude and humility. This transformation helps us see our circumstances through the lens of God's goodness and faithfulness, equipping us to face challenges with a renewed spirit. [01:03:30]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[40:20] - Introduction to Women's Ministry
[41:50] - Background of Acts 16
[43:09] - Paul and Silas in Prison
[44:32] - The Earthquake and the Jailer’s Salvation
[45:52] - The Unbelievable Response of Praise
[47:16] - Different Types of Prisons
[48:53] - Trusting God Over Circumstances
[50:23] - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
[51:39] - Bold Praise in the Face of Evil
[53:14] - God’s Power and Glory in Our Prisons
[54:46] - Miracles Attributed to God
[56:10] - Changing Our Perspective
[59:51] - Ministering to Others Through Praise
[01:03:30] - Deep Spiritual Transformation
[01:07:41] - Closing Verse and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Acts 16:22-34 - The story of Paul and Silas in prison.
2. Daniel 3:16-18 - The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

### Observation Questions
1. What were Paul and Silas doing in prison that was unusual given their circumstances? ([43:09])
2. How did the jailer react when he saw the prison doors open, and what was Paul’s response? ([44:32])
3. What was the bold statement made by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar? ([51:39])
4. What miraculous events occurred as a result of the praise offered by Paul and Silas, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? ([53:14])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul and Silas chose to praise God despite being beaten and imprisoned? ([45:52])
2. How does the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrate the concept of trusting God over circumstances? ([51:39])
3. In what ways did the praise of Paul and Silas and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego serve as a witness to others around them? ([59:51])
4. How can praising God in difficult times lead to a change in our perspective and spiritual growth? ([01:03:30])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you respond, and how might praising God have changed your perspective? ([47:16])
2. Paul and Silas’s praise led to the salvation of the jailer and his family. How can your response to difficult situations impact those around you? ([59:51])
3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made a bold statement of faith in the face of death. Is there a situation in your life where you need to make a bold statement of faith? ([51:39])
4. How can you practice shifting your focus from your problems to God’s goodness in your daily life? ([01:04:49])
5. Think of a current challenge you are facing. What specific steps can you take to praise God in the midst of this challenge? ([53:14])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude and praise in your life, even when things are not going well? ([01:06:13])
7. Identify one person in your life who might be encouraged by your testimony of praising God in difficult times. How can you share your story with them this week? ([01:00:28])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God Over Circumstances
Description: Praising God in difficult situations shows that we trust Him more than our circumstances. Paul and Silas, despite being beaten and imprisoned, chose to sing hymns and pray, demonstrating their unwavering faith in God's goodness. This act of trust can be a powerful testimony to others and a source of strength for ourselves. When we choose to praise God in our darkest moments, we declare that our faith is not dependent on our situation but on God's unchanging character. This kind of trust can inspire others and strengthen our own faith, as seen in the story of Paul and Silas. [43:09]

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV): "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and 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 bonds were unfastened."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively choose to praise God in this situation, demonstrating your trust in Him over your circumstances?

Day 2: Witnessing God's Power and Glory
Description: When we praise God in our darkest moments, we make room for Him to show up with power and glory. The earthquake that freed Paul and Silas and the unscathed escape of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace are vivid examples of how God can intervene miraculously when we choose to praise Him. These stories remind us that God's power is not limited by our circumstances. By praising Him, we invite His presence and power into our lives, allowing Him to work in ways that we might not expect. [53:14]

Daniel 3:24-25 (ESV): "Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, 'Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?' They answered and said to the king, 'True, O king.' He answered and said, 'But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.'"

Reflection: Recall a time when you witnessed God's power in your life or the life of someone you know. How did that experience shape your faith, and how can you use it to encourage others today?

Day 3: Shifting Our Perspective
Description: Praise changes our perspective, helping us see God's presence and purpose in our circumstances. Even if our situation doesn't change immediately, our outlook does. This shift can lead to personal growth and a deeper trust in God, as seen in the lives of Paul, Silas, and the three Hebrew men. When we focus on God's goodness rather than our problems, we begin to see our challenges through the lens of His faithfulness and love. This perspective shift can transform our attitude and response to difficult situations. [56:10]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: Think about a current struggle you are facing. How can you shift your focus from the problem to God's goodness today? What practical steps can you take to make this shift?

Day 4: Ministering to Others Through Praise
Description: Our praise in difficult times can be a powerful witness to others. Paul and Silas's decision to stay in the prison after the earthquake led to the salvation of the jailer and his family. Similarly, the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego influenced King Nebuchadnezzar to honor God. Our actions can have a ripple effect, impacting those around us in ways we might never fully understand. When we choose to praise God in the midst of trials, we not only strengthen our own faith but also provide a testimony that can lead others to Christ. [59:51]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can your response to your own challenges serve as a testimony to them? What specific actions can you take to encourage them today?

Day 5: Experiencing Deep Spiritual Transformation
Description: Praise can lead to profound spiritual change. It shifts our focus from what we lack to the blessings we have, fostering a sense of gratitude and humility. This transformation helps us see our circumstances through the lens of God's goodness and faithfulness, equipping us to face challenges with a renewed spirit. When we cultivate a habit of praise, we open ourselves to deeper spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. This transformation is not just about changing our circumstances but about changing our hearts and minds to align more closely with God's will. [01:03:30]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits and attitudes. How can you incorporate more praise into your daily routine to foster a deeper spiritual transformation? What specific changes can you make starting today?

Quotes

1. "You are not here by accident. This is not an accident that you're sitting in these seats tonight. This is a divine appointment that God called you to tonight to be here to participate with women because I will tell you there's something special when we come together and worship and praise. You can just feel it. We have amazing worship every Sunday here at FCF but there is something special about women coming together and it is our prayer that you are just tremendously blessed tonight by what you hear." [40:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When we praise God in difficult circumstances it shows that we trust God more than we trust the circumstance. That's the first thing. We have to understand that circumstance can be dark, bleak, and seem hopeless but when we praise, that's what we're saying: Lord, I trust you more than I trust the circumstance. And sometimes I found myself saying, God, I trust you more than I trust me." [48:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul and Silas absolutely demonstrate their faith and trust in God and they're going to trust in God when they sing praises. I mean, I'm going to say this a lot of times, I still can't get over it. They were beaten, they were put in chains, and they were thrown into the bowels of prison yet they praised God because they knew he was good even in that situation. They knew he was good and I just sometimes have a hard time wrapping my own head around the faith and trust that it takes to go beyond that circumstance." [50:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we praise God instead of wallowing in our prison, he shows up with power and glory. We like get out of our wallowing, guess what he does? So let's look at Paul and Silas. Remember that giant earthquake God sends? That was pretty cool, right? Giant earthquake and they do something again that doesn't make sense. They praise him, they're in prison, they don't deserve to be there, so they sing hymns to God and the response brings the earthquake, topples the prison, breaks their chains. God, our God, is the destroyer of prisons. He can destroy any prison that we're in." [53:14] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Sometimes we honor and praise God and then we expect that he's gonna resolve our situation just as how we want him to, right? We're like, I'm praising God, I'm praising God, therefore it's gonna go my way, right? You know, I mean, again, collectively is actually me. But what I've learned is that, and I don't know what your experience has been, but my experience has been that God's plan is always better. My plan pretty much isn't." [57:36] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Praising God, when it's counterintuitive, really does change us, and it equips us in a new way. When we choose to praise, even in the most challenging circumstances or prisons, again, we learn to trust God more than we trust our circumstance, we make room for God to show his power and glory, we change our perspective, we minister to others, and we have that deep change on a spiritual level. And we praise God, because he is good and trustworthy, no matter how grim things look." [01:06:13] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When I offer my praise, I begin to see not what's lacking in my life, not at all, but rather what is amazing in my life, and then that phrase, I don't deserve this, becomes, I do not deserve this. I don't deserve to be up here, I don't deserve, I'm a sinner, I don't deserve anything, right, but that's what praise does, it changes that perspective, and I look at things differently, I look at my family, I look at my job, my friends, and I can't help but to be so humbled, and amazed by my circumstance, rather than question what God is doing in my life." [01:06:13] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When the earthquake happens, Paul and Silas don't run out. I would have been like, see ya. Like, chains are off, walls are down, boom, I'm out of here. But they don't run out of jail and we don't know why the other prisoners stay as well. I think that's super interesting that the other prisoners remain with them. I think they were really, really impacted by Paul and Silas and their ability to praise in that circumstance. And it brings about a really important event and that's the salvation of the jailer and his family." [59:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Praise also changes our perspective, which is important, but it can change us on a profoundly spiritual level, and a deep spiritual level. And one morning, I was working on this message, I was making my bed, and I have a friend who does her best thinking when she's in her barn, and I do a lot of thinking when I'm doing things around my house, I do my best thinking, I was putting pillows on my bed, and kind of making them neat, and the Lord put on my heart this very idea, because I was thinking about how when we're in prisons, whether they be in our control or out of our control, we, and again by we, I mean me, can say things like, I don't deserve this." [01:03:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort, because he is with us in those prisons, and in those circumstances, so thank you, ladies, and I just look forward to praising him some more with you, so, would you stand to receive with us tonight?" [01:07:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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