About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the 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. Acts 16:25-26
Life for me right now feels like a midnight hour. So many things we are waiting to see unfold, in so many different areas. Yet we wait. We are waiting on the moment when we are too busy praising and worshiping God to notice our troubles anymore, and in that moment, God will break open every door and loose every chain. I believe that with all my heart and soul. My spirit bears witness and my history with God testifies to this faithful truth. He will come through, and every single time I begin to worry, I feel Him gently holding my face in His hands and asking me to stay present. To live the moment I am presently in and leave the next moment completely to Him.
Why is this so hard?
Why does He have to remind me so often? Then in a flash I am reminded that I am doing much better at this than I did previously. In the past, I wouldn’t have even noticed His gentle direction. Some level of the spiritual battle over my peace has been won and I’m off, pressing into the next victory. Praise You Jesus!! My soul is literally rejoicing as I type these words because the revelation is so sweet. So encouraging. So needed. He knows when I need to be reminded how far I’ve come. He’s always so willing to reminisce with me.
I am calling out to those of you who are living in what feels like the “midnight hour”. I am sending out a clarion call and asking you to battle through with praise and singing to God!! I am calling for you to arm yourself with Psalms of thanksgiving. I am calling you to walk past the battle line of fear the enemy has placed before you and walk into the weaponry of praise and worship. Come! Unite with the saints who praise Him in heaven. Let your worship mingle with the angels as they sing in unison with you. You are not alone! You are not defeated. The One Who saved your soul, will also save you in your moment. You can trust Him.
(I keep hearing the following words as a song in my mind, so I am sharing them with you….)
In the midnight hour, I will sing my praise to You
In the midnight hour, You are the One Who sees me through
In the midnight hour, I will not fear the dark
Because You are the Sonrise and Your love pierces through the heart.
Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:1-4
365 Days in the Presence 