A Light in the Midst of Midnight

By Dr. Ken Ellis, director of Black Church Evangelism, NAMB

Acts 16:25-31

INTRODUCTION
Midnight (me-so-nuk-ton in the Greek) is seen as a time of silent vibrations. A time when darkness covers the land like clouds floating on a sky-filled day. It's been said that midnight is the twilight zone of time, for it is neither a.m. nor p.m. but rather stands aloof in the middle of sunset and sunrise. When one often thinks of midnight, thoughts of darkness, quiet and gloominess come to mind. This is a time when most everything is at rest.

In Acts 16 we find the setting is not only midnight in the nature of time, but it also is midnight in the lives of Paul and Silas. Here were two men of God who had labored diligently for the Lord, traveling through endless dry terrain with the heat of suffering afflicting much pain. Being used, badly abused and falsely accused were trademarks of their everyday living. These men were followers of Jesus Christ, and their faith in him most certainly led them into serious predicaments.

1. LOCKED UP, BUT NOT LOCKED OUT
It was midnight and Paul and Silas were in jail, whipped with the stripes of heaviness and beaten with the brutality of madmen. They were treated as common criminals for a crime they did not commit. But even in the midst of this dark situation they had hope. In reading the scriptures, we find them locked up but not locked out of God's grace.

2. A TEACHABLE MOMENT

A. God brings the light of truth and hope. I can imagine them telling the jailer, "Now you are asking for the wrong kind of light. For your light can only shine in a limited space of time, but we have another light-a greater light that can shine throughout all eternity. And it can move with unlimited possibilities and is able to save your soul. For Jesus is this Light and He is the hope of the world. A light that shines in the midst of midnight."  God who called the light to shine out of the darkness has brightened our hearts to the glory of His son. Jesus is our strength, and He is our source of salvation. Hope in some very difficult situations.

B. Paul and Silas wanted this jailer to know that God never abandons His children. Faithful believers come to know that God brings His people through their time of wilderness like He brought the Israelites through their time of trouble while suffering under the heavy yoke of Egypt's mighty hand. Although their lives were full of the constant oppression and the heavy burden of the taskmaster's whip, they cried out to God for help, and He heard their cry and sent a deliverer. After much distress and convincing plagues by God, Pharaoh abided by the words of Moses and freedom took its place. All along the way, God was their light and their salvation, a pillar of fire, which lit up their pathways. He was a loving father who gave them bread from heaven and a flowing stream of water from a rock. He was a loving Savior who brought them out of the darkness of Egypt that they might dwell in the brightness of His presence. The Israelites found God to be a light in the midst of their midnights, hope in dark situations.

C. Paul and Silas wanted all to know there was hope in God and that He makes a way out of the impossible. They knew God would never leave nor forsake them. So they went about doing those things He had commanded them to do. Things like being a witness of His mercy and sharing His grace no matter how the situation may appear. They wanted everyone in jail to see that God is a God of hope and refuge.

3. GOOD NEWS FOR YOU AND ME

A. We don't have to wait until the battle is over to shout. We can shout right now. We don't have to wait until the victory is won to tell the world about His goodness. We can tell them now.

B. No matter how dark the situation may seem, God is the true light, and in Him we have the power and the strength to overcome.