Based on “Step out in Faith; Sing out in Thanks”
by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/16-17/10,
Message #MB404;
Daily Devotional #1 - “Unchained Melody”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): There are many popular talent programs on television where contestants compete on singing ability. Through many weeks of auditions in various cities, a select few are chosen to display their abilities to the world. One by one, they are eliminated by judge and viewer votes that determine their destiny. One familiar song that has been used by a few contestants is the hit “Unchained Melody,” with lyrics that speak of two people wanting to be together again.
The tune is actually a theme song to the movie Unchained, a movie filmed in 1955 at the Chino prison in California. The lead character tries to escape to see his family but is beaten up and held back by a cellmate for protection.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Paul and Silas knew something about prison. During their ministry, they encountered a slave girl with psychic abilities whose owners earned a great deal of money from her craft. She was accurately proclaiming to the crowds that Paul and Silas were servants of God, but after several days these proclamations disturbed Paul so much that he cast the demonic spirit out of her. She lost her ability to tell the future and increase their wealth, so her owners took Paul and Silas before the judges and the crowds to determine their fate.
Not only were they stripped and beaten, but they were put in jail and chained together with the guard on high alert. Knowing they were fighting a spiritual battle, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing while their cellmates listened and the guard was sleeping. All of a sudden an earthquake shook the prison so hard that the iron doors flew open and all the chains that bound the captives were released. The guard woke up to find the doors open and, believing the prisoners were gone, positioned himself to die. Not one prisoner left, but the guard joined the captives and was freed from his bondage by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:16-29).
This story may remind you of another great earthquake, when Jesus hung on the cross. At just the right time, He gave up His spirit and said, “…It is finished…” (John 19:30). And then, At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. (Matthew 27:51)
The guard in charge realized immediately who Jesus was: When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54) In faith, Paul and Silas ventured out to the nations to proclaim the Good News of the cross. Still, they were persecuted, punished, and imprisoned. But being filled with the Holy Spirit, they were empowered to stand against evil and face the judges despite their circumstances.
Their ‘chained-up melody’ became the ‘unchained melody’ because their eyes were on the Lord and their faith caused them to believe they would be freed before it ever happened (Hebrews 11:1).
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): From the Exodus (Exodus 15:1-21) to the Psalms (Psalm 68:6), to the Revelation (Revelation 5:13), something can be said about singing. A strange combination of power, humility, and freedom seem to come over us as it did with our ancestors.
God challenged their faith and tested their commitment. Sometimes God puts us in situations to test our loyalty and faith in Him. For Paul and Silas, they praised and sang to the Lord during the worst of conditions. James, the brother of Jesus, says “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13)
What is going on in your life right now? Do you feel trapped in a situation? Step out in faith and give thanks to the Lord. He is faithful to remove the chains and put a new song in your mouth, all while YOU are HIS song. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
§ When is the last time you really stepped out in faith, believing God would provide?
§ Are you in the Word daily to build and strengthen your faith? (Romans 10:17)
§ Do you find yourself grumbling about your circumstances or giving thanks in all things?
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Chronicles 20:21; Isaiah 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
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