I was looking at a flyer that had been sent to me in regards to a youth “lock in” where I would be speaking. The flyer stated that I would be speaking at midnight. It was later that day when I was sitting at the table eating lunch when I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Midnight signifies the beginning of a brand new day!” My mind immediately leaped to the Scripture in Acts 16 where it tells the story of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison. The story begins with verse 16 and ends with verse 31. However, almost ‘smack dab’ in the middle of the story; 7 verses from the beginning dialogue and 8 verses from the conclusion, is verse 23. It reads, “And at Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God.” There it was, the word “Midnight“, it wasn’t just the darkest hour of the night, it was the beginning of a brand new day.
Midnight is a turning point, it denotes the beginning of a new day. Paul sang praises to God at midnight and the circumstances changed for everyone. The prison doors were opened and the chains fell off. He decided to praise past the problems of yesterday. At midnight it was the beginning of a new day. Paul was beaten and put in prison but because he sang praises to God at midnight, that was yesterday! It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday, at Midnight it’s a new day! You can pronounce the problems of yesterday or you can proclaim the praises of God today. Midnight is the darkest hour, but it is also the beginning of a new day. Just praise God and speak of your problems by saying, yeah, but that was yesterday!
Paul’s experiences that had led to his jail sentence were yesterday’s news at midnight. When Paul began singing praises to God at midnight He was saying to himself and everyone around him, “that was yesterday!” Paul could have focused on the problems of yesterday, but instead he determined to focus on the promises of tomorrow. The annoying girl… that was yesterday! The accusations… that was yesterday! The unfair trail… that was yesterday! The beating with wooden rods on his back… that was yesterday! The stocks, cuffs and chains… that was yesterday! Paul would have missed the Philippian Jailer’s salvation and baptism if he would have chosen to focus on yesterday instead of praising God at Midnight. Think about the discouraging disappoints of any day and remember at midnight, “That was Yesterday!” Don’t miss what could happen today, because of what happened yesterday! Focus on the promises of today, not the problems of yesterday.
Philippians 3:13-14. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
GOOD WORD, Rob!!!
This sermon touched me. Thank you. It just now came in email but I remember you preaching it.
Received this today and it’s right on time!! I’m going through some rough waters; l am clinging to Gods word and his promises! I know this is the only way I will make it through and this word today is a real encouragement! God bless you and family.