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“And at
midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God…” Acts
16:25
Paul and Silas had been doing the work of God when the multitude
rose against them. They were taken to the magistrates where their
clothes were torn off and they were beaten. They were then cast into
prison and their feet made fast in stocks.
Paul and Silas had many reasons why they could have felt sorry for
themselves, had a pity party, or spent time blaming other people.
But rather than give in to the flesh, they prayed and praised God.
This is the attitude and response that the Lord is well pleased
with. Everyone goes through midnight times, when circumstances are
bleak, but few respond like Paul and Silas. We live in an age where
people feel sorry for themselves and blame others for their
problems. Paul and Silas could have easily given in to depression
and despondency. Instead, they allowed the hope that they had in
Christ Jesus to radiate out in praise and worship to God. The
result? Deliverance. God opened the prison doors and their stocks
fell off.
Praise and thanksgiving are keys that will bring deliverance in the
darkest trials. If the circumstances don’t change, there is still a
freedom of spirit that comes in giving God praise. Praise has
greater power than despondency. Hence, a positive outlook puts the
battles of life in their proper perspective and we then are not
under the power of the circumstances.
Not only do we triumph, but others around us find release and
victory through our witness of praise in Christ. The jail keeper
desired to be saved after witnessing the power of God through the
lives of Paul and Silas.
In our midnight time, let us lift our hearts in prayer and
thanksgiving that we too may find deliverance and triumph in God.
-Bro.
Michael Smith |
