The Secret to Finding Daylight at Midnight

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 (NKJV)

(Background Text: Acts 16:1-34)

As we read the background text to the above Scripture, we come to learn that Paul and Silas have been falsely accused of a crime that they did not commit. As a result of these false accusations, they were beaten bloody with razor sharp cane rods. They were placed in the maximum-security section of the prison in Philippi. And, in the midst of their agony, they were shackled to the prison walls in total darkness. In spite of their horrific pain and suffering, Scripture declares, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,”

Our text says that in spite of their physical suffering, being placed in maximum security and shackled to the prison walls, at “midnight” Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Some sources raise questions regarding the matter of this “midnight” worship service to God. Some want to know whether it was chronologically midnight or “spiritually” midnight. For this writer, it was both.

As Paul and Silas endured this agonizing suffering for the cause of Christ, they carried in their hearts the Light that could dispel darkness. Paul and Silas knew that:

The pain and suffering that they were called upon to endure could not separate them from the love of God!! So when midnight arrived, in the face of pain and suffering, they kept on “praying and singing praises unto God”. (Read: Rom. 8:35-39)
In spite of the darkness of both the hour and the context, because of their faith in Jesus Christ, they knew their souls were synchronized with “The Chronometer of The Eternal God”. God knew exactly where they were and all that they were going through. And even more, God would dispense His power in accordance with their needs!! So, at midnight, they kept on praying and singing hymns to God!! (Read: Hebr. 13:5-6) And,
Regardless of the darkness of their situation, darkness could not void the “promissory note” of Jesus Christ to all who claim Him as Lord and Savior of our souls, “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” (Read: Matt. 28:20)

Therefore, Paul and Silas’ faith in God gave them the power and strength to keep on praying and singing hymns to God in “the midnight” of their lives. What is “The Secret to Finding Daylight at Midnight”? Holding fast to our faith in Jesus Christ, even at our darkest hour!! Amen.

Prayer: Almighty God, strengthen us each day for the trials of life and faith that shall encounter, that we might dare to live into our faith in Jesus Christ, even at our darkest hour. In Jesus name we pray. (Amen.)