There are thousands in prisons whose hands have been stained with the
blood of their fellow men; others whose hearts are hardened in sin
and their lives blackened with many crimes; while again, there are
those who are innocent, and some who have been cast into prison for
Christ’s sake. But whether innocent or guilty, the most expedient thing
is to make the best of the situation. Worrying over the separation
from friends, the disgrace that is brought about, and bewailing the
condition of things in general, will by no means help the matter. If
a sin or crime has been committed it is not hidden from the God of
heaven, and though the prisoner maybe shut in for years he can have the
soul liberated from all the sins committed, by confessing them unto
the Lord, calling upon him, and believing that he does forgive; as
the Bible tells us in 1 Jno. 1:9 that, “if we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
The dear prisoner should make a decision for the right at once, cast
away his gloom, doubts, and fears, and remember the words of the
apostle, who urges people to cast their care upon the Lord, for he
careth for them. He is a very present help in time of trouble. By the
help of Almighty God the prisoner can yet make his mark in the world.
He can rise above every foe and be of some use before his life closes.
While he is in the midst of the most desperate characters in the land,
yet he can have good associates. He can commune with God when alone
in his cell. He can call for good books and holy literature, read the
Bible, and make every effort to please the Lord and those around him.
He can so live that even the prison walls will be a hallowed spot unto
him. It was while John Bunyan was serving a twelve-year sentence in
prison that he wrote the notable book “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” which
has been a help and comfort to multitudes of people. He no doubt worked
often under adverse circumstances and completed his work through many
difficulties and much hard labor. Likewise Martin Luther translated the
New Testament while in prison, and wrote a number of other valuable
works. The apostle Paul wrote a number of his epistles while in prison.
He and others with him sometimes were punished by stripes until they
were left lacerated and bleeding, then cast into prison and bound
hand and foot. It was under such circumstances that one time Paul
and Silas were found praising the Lord, singing and shouting at the
midnight hour, when the Lord sent an earthquake and rent the prison
walls, throwing open the doors and loosing the shackles, setting them
free; but they did not flee from the prison until they received proper
orders. It was their faithfulness that caused the jailer to ask what
he should do to be saved. Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ. The generous jailor then took the brethren and washed their
stripes and properly cared for them, and soon they were dismissed and
sent on their way. It often happens that some must suffer an unjust
punishment. To such we can only say, Be of good courage; look up and
trust for better days.