FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word
WEEKLY WORD
BUT AT MIDNIGHT…
[PART III]
25 But 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.
ACTS 16:25, 26
New King James Version
During this series, the emphasis was placed on the function of the conjunction “but.” We shared with you in part I and part II that the revelation of this conjunction was to show a shift, change or transition within the flow of the text in vs. 25.
Prior to vs. 25, we see challenges that Paul and Silas had to go through that referred to their adversity and difficulty.
Vs. 19-24 speaks of…
“…Paul and Silas being dragged…”
“…seen as troublemakers…”
“…beaten with many stripes…”
“…thrown into prison…”
“…feet bound in chains…”
Vs. 25 says…BUT AT MIDNIGHT…
This speaks to the shift from difficulty to possibility which gave them hope in their midnight situation.
When looking at this passage, many make the mistake in assuming that prayer and praise brought the earthquake that freed them. However, it was their devotion to God that brought about their deliverance from God. In other words, God saw their COMMITMENT during their season of CONFINEMENT.
In times of our midnight, God wants to see our devotion while being detained before He brings our deliverance. The question is: Can you find contentment during seasons of confinement?
It was Paul who wrote in Philippians 4:11-13
11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; 13for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor