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Breakthrough in the Midnight Hour

Acts 16:25-26 - “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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.” 

            The sixteenth chapter of Acts defines the Macedonian call of the Apostle Paul and his team.  Acts 16:6 says, “They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.”  God changed their plans.  He had new territory for their ministry.  There are times God will change your plans.  You must be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

            Acts 16:9 records the Holy Spirit’s instructions, “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Fifteen times in the New Testament we are instructed, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying.” I believe if you listen very closely, we can hear the cries of help coming from your community.  People in bondage longing to find freedom are crying out for the life-changing transformation power of the Word of God.

            Paul was called to a new territory.  Acts 16:10 says, “Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”  Upon entering this territory, He encountered opposition.  He cast a spirit of divination out of a young slave girl, and this angered her masters when they realized they could no longer profit from her.  They falsely accused Paul and Silas and they were beaten with rods and imprisoned.

            How did Paul and Silas respond?  At midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God.  You may be experiencing a midnight hour.  Have you received a bad report?  Have you suffered loss?  What do you do when you find yourself at midnight?  Like Paul and Silas you pray and give praise to God.  Notice what happens.  Acts 16:26 says, “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.”  Breakthrough can come in the midnight hour, but you must make prayer and praise a priority.  Murmuring and complaining about our circumstances will keep you from God’s best.  You must learn to praise Him.  When you worship Him in the midnight hour God will shake the foundations of the prison and loose every chain holding you.


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