Lockdown in Faith

• As we all know, however, this year is very different. Due to the

coronavirus, life has been disrupted in so many ways.

• Families and friends are discouraged from gathering together,

• many church congregations no longer meet in person,
• economic challenges are affecting people everywhere,
• mentally and emotionally challenged
• and tragically, more than 1 million lives around the world have
been lost to this deadly disease.
• There are a lot of men and women in the bible who went
through such hardships and still remained faithful to God.

• But we will focus on four such characters that were imprisoned

and yet remained faithful to God:

Paul and Silas

Daniel
Peter
 DANIEL
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home.
And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he
knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave
thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
DANIEL 6:10

Why should he cease to pray now, when he most needed to pray?

Rather would he relinquish life itself, than his hope of help in God.
With calmness he performed his duties as chief of the princes; and
at the hour of prayer he went to his chamber, and with his windows
open toward Jerusalem, in accordance with his usual custom, he
offered his petition to the God of heaven.
Patriarch and Prophets p.542
 PAUL AND SILAS
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them
into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  Who, having
received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made
their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed,
and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts 16:23-25

The apostles were left in a very painful condition. Their

lacerated and bleeding backs were in contact with the
rough stone floor, while their feet were elevated and
bound fast in the stocks. In this unnatural position they
suffered extreme torture; yet they did not groan nor
complain, but conversed with and encouraged each other,
and praised God with grateful hearts that they were found
worthy to suffer shame for his dear name.  
Sketches from the Life of Paul p.75.3
 PETER
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending
after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:4-5

Peter was confined in a rock-hewn cell, the doors of which were

strongly bolted and barred; and the soldiers on guard were made
answerable for the safekeeping of the prisoner. But the bolts and
bars and the Roman guard, which effectually cut off all possibility of
human aid, were but to make more complete the triumph of God in
the deliverance of Peter. Herod was lifting his hand against
Omnipotence, and he was to be utterly defeated.
Acts of the Apostles p. 146.1
• Though they have different circumstances in different prison, they all have
one thing in common: faith that never wavered.
• With their unwavering faith, each of them were not only saved by God’s
power but they also have saved the faith of others.
 DANIEL
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that
they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up
out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because
he believed in his God.
DANIEL 6:23

Once more a proclamation was issued by a heathen ruler, exalting the

God of Daniel as the true God. “King Darius wrote unto all people,
nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied
unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men
tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and
steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,
and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and
rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth,
who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Prophets and Kings p.544.5
 PAUL AND SILAS
At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their
wounds; then immediately he and all his household were
baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal
before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe
in God—he and his whole household.
Acts 16:33-34

He saw his own deplorable condition in contrast with that of the

disciples, and with deep humility and reverence asked them to show
him the way of life. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the
word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” The jailer then
washed the wounds of the apostles, and ministered unto them; and
was baptized by them. A sanctifying influence spread among the
inmates of the prison, and the hearts of all were opened to receive
the truths uttered by the apostles. They were convinced also that the
living God, whom these men served, had miraculously released them
from bondage. 
Sketches from the Life of Paul p.75.3
 PETER
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and
saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his
hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought
him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James
and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
Acts 16:23-25

The day of Peter's execution was at last appointed, but still the
prayers of the believers ascended to heaven; and while all their
energies and sympathies were called out in fervent appeals for help,
angels of God were watching over the imprisoned apostle. Acts of
Apostles p.145.3
Though all of them were imprisoned, in some ways, and their faith never
wavered, all of them went through some same process of being saved while
not having to worry a thing.
 LESSON 1
No matter what we will do, as long as God is leading and it glorifies God,
it will always be safe.

• Daniel prayed openly and not in hiding despite of what will happen to him nor did he
severed or weakened his connection with God because he knows his God is GOD.

• Paul and Silas healed the possessed woman under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

• Peter did nothing when Herod seized him but the impression that he made through
preaching made Herod capture him and be thrown into prison.
 LESSON 2
God always answers your prayers but in ways you cannot imagine or not always in the way you
want it.

• Daniel may have prayed that God may help him in his innocence. But King Darius said “Your
God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” and did spent the night fasting.

• Paul and Silas, instead of murmuring or complaining, prayed, glorified and gave praised to
Him “with grateful hearts that they were found worthy to suffer shame for his dear
name.”

• When Peter also was imprisoned, the entire church engaged in fasting and prayer. 
 LESSON 3
God sometimes uses adversities in accomplishing His purpose

• Through saving Daniel by shutting the mouth of the lions, King Darius exalted God and made
a decree that everyone should worship the God of Daniel.

• Because Paul and Silas were in the prison that night and were having the right
attitude by singing praises to the Lord, instead of wailing of their circumstances, the
jailer and his house were brought to the Lord and baptized. 

• Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter. AA p. 149

 LESSON 4
There are many people in difficult places to reach who need the Lord

Many people deep down in their hearts are crying out for truth. And it is our duty as the
light of the world to reach out to them just like the jailer and his family or maybe some
of the families in Babylon even Darius and those who prayed for Peter.
 LESSON 5
The Holy Spirit’s work is mysterious and is not bound with time.

It only took a night or several hours for the jailer to repent his way and ask for baptism.
It only took overnight for King Darius to realize that the God of Daniel is God and made
a decree for Him. It only took a day for those people who prayed for Peter to realize
that their prayers are answered and a day for Herod to realize that what saved Peter is
of no human feat.

The Holy Spirit brought conviction and repentance to their hearts. While this is still
possible today, it may take a longer time for many people to come to the Lord. The
Holy Spirit is able to do a quick work, but He is also patient.
• It is said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

REJOICE ALWAYS
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
GIVE THANKS TO EVERYTHING
Though we are not imprisoned or bound in chains, we are still prisoned in
this “lockdown”. Some of us are chained in hopelessness, bound in longing
for truth and God, imprisoned and wanting to get out from their past lives
and starting anew with God.

Perhaps this gives us a clue as to at least one reason God invites us to

rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances—because others are
listening, watching how we deal with situations—and this provides a
wonderful opportunity for the Lord to work through us as His witnesses.
 Hebrews 10:25
not giving up meeting together, as
 

some are in the habit of doing, but

encouraging one another—and all
the more as you see the Day
approaching.