Are you in the midnight season of your life?

Acts 16:26-27 says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose“.

You may or may not have come across this scripture but let’s back up a bit. Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey and had stopped in Philippi for some days. While there, they  met a  certain female slave who was possessed with a spirit of divination (also known as fortune telling). She followed Paul and Silas proclaiming that they were servants of God. The Bible records she did this for many days and Paul was sorely vexed by her actions. When he could no longer bear it, he commanded the spirit out of her and the owners were totally upset at Paul for getting in the way of their source of income. Thus, they accused Paul and Silas of causing pandemonium in their city because of the message they preached. They succeeded in their plot, as a result Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner cell of the prison, with their feet bound in chains.

Why not try to create a mental picture of this situation. Plus, they were not only in prison but in an inner cell, where they probably weren’t  able to catch  a glimpse of  the sun.  Yet, in the midst of this uncomfortable situation; they began to pray and sing hymns to God. That was an example of a sacrifice of praise. This brings to mind the word of God in Psalm 107:22 which says, “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”

Can you dare to praise God in that midnight season of your life, where all hope seems lost. That point where you don’t know what else to do. When that situation of joblessness, sickness, oppression, loneliness or even mid-life crisis has stared you in the face for far too long.

It is said that the night is darkest when the day is about to break. At the point where you are down and out, praising God is the last thing you want to do. In this case, Paul and Silas were not mumbling to themselves because the Bible records that the other prisoners were listening to them. It must have been quite loud and the resultant effect was a violent earthquake which rocked even the foundations of the prison. The doors flew open and everyone’s chains fell off. There was no room for negotiations, they were now free.

You may have tried all else since the beginning of the year. You might even be worse off now compared to your state at the beginning but would you dare give God some quality praise in the midst of your situation. He hasn’t changed, He cannot change. Give him some loud, heart felt praise in the remaining days of this year and watch all your desires turn to testimonies.

My pastor declared it my week of supernatural breakthroughs. I pray same for you and yours.

 

God’s blessings always,

Dammy