Worshiping God during good circumstances is easy. When we see God answer prayers with a "yes," when we receive good gifts from God, and when we have something to celebrate, worship comes naturally. What is far more difficult is worshiping when life is difficult and brings the most unexpected curve balls. The truth is worship is not meant to be dictated by our circumstances. Worship is based on our good, all-powerful, and faithful God, regardless of our circumstances.
The apostle Paul and his ministry partner Silas are an example of what it looks like to worship God regardless of our circumstances in Acts 16. In this passage of Scripture, Paul and Silas were “severely beaten” and imprisoned as a result of faith (verse 23). So that they wouldn’t escape prison, “the jailer clamped their feet” (verse 24). This treatment would have been enough to discourage anyone, but Paul and Silas were not defeated. Instead of sulking in prison or letting fear overcome them, as many would have, Paul and Silas praised God. The book of Acts tells us that "around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God" (verse 25). Instead of complaining or begging God to get them out of jail, Paul and Silas worshiped God. As they sang, Scripture tells us that "the other prisoners were listening" (verse 25). When we worship God in desperate and difficult times, the world watches in wonder. While they were singing, God caused an earthquake that made the prison doors fly open, and the chains fall off every prisoner (verse 26). God rescued Paul and Silas that day so they could continue spreading His name.
The remarkable part of Paul and Silas's praise is that it came before God rescued them from prison. They were not praising God because He had rescued them from prison (that, of course, would come). They were praising God even when He had not yet rescued them in prison. They understood that their worship was not contingent on their circumstances but on their God, who is good and never changes regardless of their circumstances.
My friend, we can worship God in any circumstances. God is so good and worthy of the worship that we have to offer. Regardless of what we are facing or our circumstances, we always have an opportunity to praise Him.
Read Habakkuk 3:17, another passage of Scripture about worshiping God regardless of our circumstances. Write down Habakkuk 3:17-18 on at least three notecards. Place the notecards where you will see them often. Let this passage of Scripture remind you that you can worship God in all circumstances, the good, bad, and in-between. After all, He is good and trustworthy. Praise Him today, regardless of what circumstance you are in.
16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”
22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”
38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.