The apostle Paul & fellow missionary Silas found themselves in the middle of a rough night. You’ve been there, no? Like my night last week when 3 of the children woke me up at least 6 times between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. //growl// Around midnight, we peek in on Paul & Silas in prison, in the most secure inner cell, with their feet in stocks. And what is that sound? Singing? Do we hear actual singing? “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).
But let’s back up the story a bit. How did they get to this place? Oh yes…..falsely accused, attacked by an angry mob, stripped and beaten, severely flogged….and then thrown in prison without a proper trial. A rough night? I’d say.
Yet they were singing. Singing in the middle of trouble.
Pushing back the dark with prayers and songs of praise.
And the other prisoners were listening. Taking note. Soaking in the worship.
On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night.Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. (Psalm 63:6-7)
But I will sing of Your strength [in the evening], in the morning I will sing of Your love;for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 59:16)
Hidden and protected in the shadow of His wings, there Paul & Silas were singing.
God was their Fortress, Refuge, & Help; they acknowledged He is God (and we are not).
And I imagine they were singing with joy. Rejoicing because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake (Acts 5:41).
In the same way, we follow their example and choose to sing in the middle of trouble, despite the trouble, to remind ourselves of His greatness, and to acknowledge our dependence on Him. Will I, will you, make the choice to worship God in the middle of a rough night at 2 a.m. (or maybe it’s a rough month or a rough year)?
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
We are not surprised. We rejoice. SO THAT we will be overjoyed at the end (or the beginning?) of all things. Ponder this thought: will we be relieved and overflowing with joy when Jesus comes back OR will we have built such a nice, suffering-free life for ourselves that we’re kind of bummed He showed up already?
Are you in trouble or suffering? Quite possibly you are exactly where God wants you to be, right where you can bring Him glory. So sing into the dark. Declare what is true. Lift up your eyes and see the King. Anticipate the day of no-more-suffering that is to come. Long for that day. But consider it pure joy to suffer for & with Him in the meantime.
Sing into the dark. And the God of light will be with you.