John Piper has famously said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. He wrote a book called “Desiring God” to prove this thesis. He goes on to say in this book that if we want to glorify God, which is the highest goal for the Christian, we must focus on finding joy in Him. Scripture commands us, “Delight yourself in the Lord” (Ps. 37:4). “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together…. O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:3, 8).

But how do we do this in difficult situations? How do we glorify God when we are in pain or being wronged, falsely accused, or treated badly? Our passage speaks into this dilemma that many of us have faced or will face in the future. 

• 1. Keep Your Joy! (v.25-33)
• 2. Trust the Sovereign Lord. (v.26-36)
• 3. Be Wise (v.37 -40)

Verse 33 tells us that the Philippian jailor and his household believed and were baptized that same night. In God’s providence, the Spirit of the Lord used the afflictions that Paul and Silas faithfully endured  to open the hearts of these lost pagans and to bring them to faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul and Silas knew that God could have prevented them from being beaten and thrown in prison in the first place, but He did not do so. They trusted that He had another purpose in mind, and so He did, namely, the conversion of the jailer and his family. As Paul later wrote to the Philippians, his aim was that with all boldness, Christ would even now, as always, be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death (Phil. 1:20). Paul trusted God to work for His purpose and glory, whether Paul got delivered or whether he died in the process.

As the world watches Christians walk in victory despite their problems, they will be stirred by our faith. That is why it is essential that believers learn to joyfully and patiently trust the Sovereign Lord with the trial they are facing and endure the trials of life. 

A major application from this text, is for believers to work on having joy in the Lord in every situation. Everything else flows from that. If we radiate His joy because we have entrusted our souls to Him, the faithful Creator, then even when we are badly treated, He will be glorified and others will be drawn to the Saviour.

Discussion Questions

1. How does prayer help our attitude towards suffering?
2. How does God’s providence relate to not losing our temper when we are treated unjustly?
3. How can the overflow of our worship lead to being a witness?
4. "A cheerful, joyous spirit does not depend on having wonderful, trouble-free circumstances. It depends on daily cultivating joy in the Lord." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your reasons why.