A Song At Midnight

The stripes that had been sliced into their backs stung.  The prison cell was cold and dark.  The shouts from the towns people still rang in their ears, but at midnight, Paul and Silas sang the most beautiful duet of praise, following their time of prayer.  The other prisoners heard it, so we know they weren’t just muttering under their breath.  This prayer time and singspiration came from hearts that were truly joyful. 

Paul and Silas’ genuine faith was heard and seen by their fellow prisoners, and also by the guard.  What they saw was men, who even in a time of testing and hardship, still clung onto the faith they had just preached in the streets of their city.  What people want to know from Christians is that our faith is true even when we’re tested.  Anyone can sing in the sunshine.  It’s warm.  It makes us feel good.  It energizes us.  But at midnight when it’s cold and lonely, is there still a song on our lips? 

I’ve seen from our current “prison cell” experience, i.e., the hospital and diagnosis of terminal cancer, that many people are watching and listening.  They are nurses, janitors, doctors, hospital staff and other patients.  Their response has been a little slow, I think because they’re watching as the days progress, but they are coming to us asking where we go to church.  Some have remarked what a breath of fresh air it is to see people respond to the word, “terminal” with hope in their eyes instead of anger or paralyzing fear.  This is not because we are super-Christians, this is God’s grace working in us.  It’s the evidence that He is enough – not just for the day you get saved, but every day of life, and even when facing the death of a loved one – or your own.  They are listening as we sing in the hospital room.  They are watching the care of our church family march in and out all through the day.  All of this is our “song at midnight.”

People are watching those that call themselves Christians.  The folks at our local grocery store are witnesses to our response to a long wait at the checkout.  Our family sees our attitude when we are disappointed about a change in plans.  Co-workers notice if we clock in late or are lazy on the job.  The children at church watch you, their Sunday school teacher, responding at the invitation and going to the altar so your heart will remain tender towards the Lord.

Will we faithfully trust and testify of our love for the Lord in every situation and have the testimony that Paul and Silas had ?  Their great witness brought a man and his whole family to the Lord!  I believe they would say it was worth it, don’t you?!

Who is watching you today?  Share with them the reason for the hope that lies within you as you sing a song at midnight!

With love,