As we read Acts 16:23-26, we realize that we are on a Divine Assignment To Be Locked Up For Others Breakthrough! See in understanding the story of Paul and Silas; This Bible story begins the unjust arrest of Paul and Silas. Because they had cast a spirit of divination out of a girl, the local Philippians authorities beat them and then threw them into a jail cell. Besides the trauma of the severe beating, they were fastened in stocks which clamped their arms and legs in an immobile position, causing cramps and loss of circulation. The atmosphere there was depressing. According to the standards of that day, a prison was more like the resemblance of a dungeon.  This was a dark, damp, stench-ridden place, with no facility for waste or comforts of any kind.

Paul and Silas were going about kingdom business. There was a woman on an assignment to make it a point to distract Paul and his companion. She met them in the street while they were going to pray; while under the influence of Satan, the great temper has taken the opportunity to spoil or delay the their purpose.  This gives us an example of demonic diversion when we are going about our religious duties…to ruffle us when we should be composed

However they were rewarded with being beaten and cast into prison. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Well it does seem fair, when we remember what Jesus suffered at the cross.  He told us that we would be taken before powers and magistrates as a witness to Him.

Now the whipping they received constituted that surely they would have been released. In these days, the magistrate were cruel, the guards were even crueler. In an attempt to gain favor with man, the jailer was charged to keep them safely and have a very watchful eye. Having this charge he decided to transfer them to the inner prison, the dungeon.

Yet, in spite of the throbbing pain in their bodies and the disheartening atmosphere, at midnight Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God! What a strange sound this must have been to the other prisoners, who were used to only hearing the groans or cursing of those who had been beaten. Then suddenly, there was an earthquake that shook the prison!

Instantly, Paul and Silas could has used that moment for selfish gain; but they knew they were on a Divine Assignment To Be Locked Up For Others Breakthrough! Suddenly, the jailers and prisoners witnessed the true manifestation of God. There life was changed permanently…Suddenly

Many critics dismiss the story of Jonah as a Myth or Fable because they reject the miraculous element of the Great Fish. This is sad, because it shows our inability to comprehend the supernatural nature of God.  Yet, It amazing how we can believe that he made the sun stand still for Joshua [10:1-15], or better yet,  part the red the sea for Moses and the Children on Israel; and the presence of the Great Fish[whale] is belittled.  Who are we to determine the moves, actions, motives, and thoughts of God?

See, The Book of Jonah is special to me because it is a great depiction of our human nature as Believers.  We profess: at YOUR Word, I will obey and when the mandate is executed we flee from our duty in favor of serving our self.   This shows our natural intuition and spiritual maturity are off kittle, because faith is our Barometer to determine our spiritual well being.  Why do we fear man more than God? Why do we force God to reassure us His Strength, such as Joshua Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD?

More so, before we examine the character of Jonah, we must realize that he wasn’t the only one with a reluctant spirit.  It took Moses 40 years of preparation to get it together.  One about Gideon arguing with the Angel, or Jeremiah thinking the he was too young?   Why is it that we are as believers boldly profess our titles, and cowardly resent our position?

See, as we follow the scripture, we will see that Jonah’s behavior was different from the other spiritual leaders in the bible.  He actually was the first recorded to disobey God through action versus vocally.  See, he attempted to hide from God with the mindset that if I don’t say anything then, it’s not disobedience. Wrong, what you do matters just as much as what you say.   Talk to Achan or Uzzah whose actions lead them to premature death.       What you do is in a marriage with what you say and believe; they must all be in balance. Jonah didn’t realize that he was running , but stepping into Purpose.  He thought he ridding himself of who is was but in actuality it was a set up for greater message with an explosive presence. See, we as believers have to stop determining who is eligible to receive the Word of God. 

See, when you called, you are called.  When you are chosen, you are chosen…and everyone around you knows who you are.

Jonah 1:4

4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

 5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. [ The enemy will have you convinced that you can find peace in disobedience.  Think about it.  He went to most uneasy place and found peace]

 6So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy

God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Jonah actions forced them to cast lots: which is symbolic in several meanings; one being that no one has the final say so but God! Casting Lots we the best way to keep man’s motives and enter God’s. For they knew (Proverbs 16:33) "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Then it forced them to change Religions! It the beginning they were worshipping pagan gods; later they were worshipping the True and Living God (14). It is amazing how sinners can practice more Godly principles than us.  They also knew that the lots were symbolic for tithing.   See when you think you are running from God, you are chasing purpose.  See, you may think that you are letting go God, but he is not letting God of you.  

We must realize that our choices damage more people than we know!  See, don’t confused your prison with incubator.  You may see it as a hell experience, when it is an experience of elevation.  The Fish is symbolic for the Jesus, the messiah coming…He was in the belly of the great fish, come on….he was in the bosom; he thought that he was in hell but he was in Bosom of Abraham.  Maybe sometimes, you need to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob help with restore your Faith, which restores your relationship God.  See, all this happen in the belly of Fish…meaning God was in control, the Fish was a Theophany of God’s omnipresence and unconditional love to keep us on course. See, in the belly of the Fish, was he was aligned with God, the Relationship of God was restored, therefore, worship took place, meaning deliverance took place which served as a catalyst to preach a sermon that impacted an entire nation.   So much so, it forced the entire land to repent and touched God’s hand…

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we think of Acts 22:22-28; and we say to ourselves: “But I was born a citizen, see was born free...oh, but the cost of freedom”.  Free is a product of freedom. Free to go from sea to shining sea. Free to vote for the First Black President and the First Black Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina.  There is more then independence; especially, when you understand the cost of this freedom.  So we celebrate the costly price of this benefit. So even if we look back just on the history of USA, we understand the cost that was paid throughout the years.  We understand that freedom is a man that sacrificed more than we will ever know; and His name is Jesus.  HE warred in the heavenlies on our behalf.  This was evident in the Garden of Eden.  Though HE paid the price, we are free to worship Him, to do for him, to live for him.  There should be a shout of praise because we celebrate of Freedom in Christ.  However, you have to know that you are free, not just think it. You have to know that you know. 

See, the enemy will try to place you in prison, just as Paul.  The enemy will have you in a position of guilt; he may even have you bound as to look defeated.  However, as long as there is praise in your heart or a WORD on your tongue there is freedom. This evident by Paul’s ability to know who he was.  He asked the question is it lawful to flog a Roman Citizen.  See Paul knew he was, in God and on the Earth.  Paul understood his freedom and the cost that was paid.

This freedom is bigger than what one can see.  This freedom kindles from within.  So, look past your current circumstances and/or appearance.  You are free, a citizen of God, an heir to the throne and promise!  So rejoice, Praise God for paying the price.  The cost afforded you freedom! Just know, in your dungeon experience and cell block of solitude, God can allow that to be an earth quaking experience for a shift in your life.  The cost is ignited by your praise; celebrate God for footing the bill of your freedom.