Do What They Did
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 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 16:23-26)
When I read the Bible, I picture myself in the situations it describes, and I realize I wouldn’t have enjoyed being with Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They were brutally beaten, chained, and bleeding when they were thrown into the worst part of the prison, just for preaching the Gospel and casting a demon out of a girl who was being trafficked!
Instead of complaining or wondering if they had missed God, Paul and Silas prayed and praised at midnight — the darkest time, both literally and figuratively. It seemed as though they had been forgotten, and their lives and ministries could come to an end right there. However, instead of bemoaning how terrible their situation was, they sang! You see, God always responds to faith, and praise is an act of faith!
If you’re facing a midnight season and it seems like you’ll never move forward from a physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual attack, do what Paul and Silas did: praise the Lord! Praise God before you see the solution. Praise Him and say, “Lord, I trust You! I don’t know how You will get me out of this mess, but I know You love me, You are faithful, and You’ve got me! I praise You, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever! I praise You, for You are bigger than my problems. I praise You because You are worthy, holy, righteous, and true! I praise You, Lord, because nobody loves me like You!”
Practical Application
Anyone can praise God after the miracle, but those with faith that pleases God praise Him before. So, start now. Use your voice to praise the Lord!
Psalm 34:1; Psalm 50:15
