Burning the Midnight Oil

Praying & Singing Hymns

Acts 16:34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. 

Is it not wonderful that whatever may be our circumstances God is always listening to all our prayers and petitions. We see this joy in the life of Paul and Silas as they continue to faithfully praise and give thanks to God, even as they are shackled in prison for evangelism (Acts 16:25-34). It is this joy Paul and Silas experience despite being beaten black and blue and thrown in prison. They knew the joy of the presence of Christ would never leave them.

Suddenly around midnight the earth shakes and their hands fall free of the shackles. As the terror of the earthquake fills the night, prayers for freedom from their chains are answered. Yet they do not run away but stay on. When the doors of the prison fall open, the jailer is so afraid all the prisoners escaped, he almost kills himself. Yet Paul cautions him from the cell not to do so. The jailer is so grateful that he falls at the feet of Paul and asks what he must do to be saved? Paul tells him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Imagine the happiness of the jailer when he finds his prisoners still in jail. Coming to know Christ and the promise of eternal life is the key he unlocks to find freedom to everlasting joy. There is no guarantee our life is free from trials and tribulations on earth. However is it not wonderful that whatever our circumstances God is always listening to all our prayers and petitions ? Jesus' promise still stands if we ask in faith we will receive lasting joy of the Holy Spirit who renews and strengthens us every 

 The Jailer took Paul and Silas to his home and washed their wounds. He was overcome with joy over the gospel message that his entire household opened their hearts to the Lord Jesus and were baptized by them. The jailer who was terrified and almost took his life, came to know and experience the love of Jesus Christ and his heart was filled with joy and thanksgiving. What a transformation of a mans heart when the gospel message of grace and mercy was laid it. 

 Their sincerity to Jesus even at midnight to reach out to a terrified jailer with the gospel message is memorable story of the Acts of the Apostles. All this would not have happened if they tried to escape and ignore the trembling jailer. They could have escaped from prison and fled from Philippi disgraced, but with a dramatic turn of events they were honorably discharged with apologies from the city officials (Acts 16:35-40). Is this not the very essence of the gospel message, if we believe in the Lord Jesus we will inherit the eternal joy of living in the presence of God? In the parable of the Good and Faithful servants, Jesus concludes by saying well done and to enter into the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:14-30).