Acts 16:16-34
25But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
The account of Paul and Silas in prison is worthy of note. They had been beaten with rods for casting out the spirit of divination from a slave girl. Now they were put in prison and their feet fastened to the stocks.
The midnight hour represents a time of intense suffering, when the pain is at its peak, when the going is toughest, when troubles are pressing in on all sides, when the pains ache your heart the most, when sorrows like sea billows roll, when it seems you are about to break, when it seems you can no longer move on, etc.
Paul and Silas sang in their midnight hour. The Bible says the foundation of the prison was shaken, all the doors opened, and everyone’s chains were loosened! These events resulted in the salvation of the prison keeper and his household. Paul and Silas were later released and set free.
What do you do in the midnight hour? When your body quakes at the depth of the pain, when your “back” is bent over due to the heaviness of the load you are carrying. When it seems all hope is gone, and life is unfair; when you have done all that is humanly possible, but all to no avail. When you begin to doubt that God is just.
Owing to human nature, the last thing you are willing to do is sit still, and sing praises to God in such a state. But if you could summon the courage to sing HIS praise despite all odds, if you dare to believe and trust again, if you could lift up your tear-stained face and enter HIS courts with thanksgiving; you will move the heart of God to step quickly into your situation.
However, I dare you – in your midnight hour – to praise God for who HE is; not just for what you want from HIM. Don’t show the world how big your problems are, but rather show God how small your problems are in the light of HIS praise and adoration!
Certainly not an easy task, but HE gives the grace if we but ask.
Would you praise God in your midnight hour?