And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Acts 16:25-26
I’ve heard over the years that midnight is the darkest hour. I don’t know if that’s true but I do however, associate it with a time to get before God with prayer and praise until something happens.
Paul and Silas find themselves imprisoned for preaching the word of God; thrown into a dungeon and feet bound by what was called a stock, which involves a leather band and some wood, meaning you are bound, don’t even think of trying to get free device. I’m sure before being thrown in, there was some rough necking in the process, but even this didn’t douse their spirit because they were not bound emotionally or spiritually. They had been imprisoned for doing the work of the ministry, so surely, if God had allowed this to happen, there was a purpose and Paul understood this quite well. It doesn’t mention them being fearful, or scared; the scripture says that the first action taken was prayer and secondly, they began to sing praises to God. Then, it said, “suddenly and immediately”, which are two action words that I like to hear, God moved in their situation without hesitation and without delay; not only were the stock or the shackles loosed from Paul and Silas, but everyone was loosed and experienced the move of God. That song we sing, “He’s an on time God, Oh yes He is”, is ringing in my heart right this minute!
When we go to God in prayer and sing those songs of praise in the midnight hour, especially when we find ourselves in bondage, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially, or whatever the stronghold; be it a circumstance that keeps us weighed down (Heb 12:1) or stagnates us; when situations paralyze us and we are unable to move; when we can’t fix it, can’t handle it and certainly when we can’t understand it, but God! He will shake the very foundations of the earth on our behalf and loose us from a thing, suddenly and immediately! So go ahead and praise your way out… sing your song at midnight and watch God move.
Today, I want to share something I read awhile back … in my heart, I believe this will be a blessing to you as well.
Behold, I am near at hand to bless you, and I will surely give to you out of the abundance of heaven. For My heart is open to your cry; yes, I am alert to your call and when you search after Me, the darkness will not hide My face.
It will be as the stars which shine more brightly in the deep of night. Even so it shall be. In the night of spiritual battle, there I shall give you fresh revelations of Myself, and you shall see Me more clearly than you could in the sunlight of ease and pleasure.
Man by nature chooses the day and shuns the night, but I say to you, I shall make your midnight a time of great rejoicing, and I will fill the dark hour with songs of praise. Yes, with David, you shall rise at midnight to sing.
It has been written, "Joy comes in the morning," but I will make your song break out in the night. For he who lifts the shout of faith and praise in the night, to him there shall be joy in the morning. F.J. Roberts
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
Acts 16:25-26
I’ve heard over the years that midnight is the darkest hour. I don’t know if that’s true but I do however, associate it with a time to get before God with prayer and praise until something happens.
Paul and Silas find themselves imprisoned for preaching the word of God; thrown into a dungeon and feet bound by what was called a stock, which involves a leather band and some wood, meaning you are bound, don’t even think of trying to get free device. I’m sure before being thrown in, there was some rough necking in the process, but even this didn’t douse their spirit because they were not bound emotionally or spiritually. They had been imprisoned for doing the work of the ministry, so surely, if God had allowed this to happen, there was a purpose and Paul understood this quite well. It doesn’t mention them being fearful, or scared; the scripture says that the first action taken was prayer and secondly, they began to sing praises to God. Then, it said, “suddenly and immediately”, which are two action words that I like to hear, God moved in their situation without hesitation and without delay; not only were the stock or the shackles loosed from Paul and Silas, but everyone was loosed and experienced the move of God. That song we sing, “He’s an on time God, Oh yes He is”, is ringing in my heart right this minute!
When we go to God in prayer and sing those songs of praise in the midnight hour, especially when we find ourselves in bondage, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially, or whatever the stronghold; be it a circumstance that keeps us weighed down (Heb 12:1) or stagnates us; when situations paralyze us and we are unable to move; when we can’t fix it, can’t handle it and certainly when we can’t understand it, but God! He will shake the very foundations of the earth on our behalf and loose us from a thing, suddenly and immediately! So go ahead and praise your way out… sing your song at midnight and watch God move.
Today, I want to share something I read awhile back … in my heart, I believe this will be a blessing to you as well.
Behold, I am near at hand to bless you, and I will surely give to you out of the abundance of heaven. For My heart is open to your cry; yes, I am alert to your call and when you search after Me, the darkness will not hide My face.
It will be as the stars which shine more brightly in the deep of night. Even so it shall be. In the night of spiritual battle, there I shall give you fresh revelations of Myself, and you shall see Me more clearly than you could in the sunlight of ease and pleasure.
Man by nature chooses the day and shuns the night, but I say to you, I shall make your midnight a time of great rejoicing, and I will fill the dark hour with songs of praise. Yes, with David, you shall rise at midnight to sing.
It has been written, "Joy comes in the morning," but I will make your song break out in the night. For he who lifts the shout of faith and praise in the night, to him there shall be joy in the morning. F.J. Roberts
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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