“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25 NLT)

 

In this week’s devotions, we’re going to look at the book of Acts—specifically, the people, situations, encounters, and experiences that laid the groundwork for the church as we know it today. And we’re going to start with one of the most famous worship scenes in the New Testament.

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night by a Christian song or worship chorus running through your mind? If so, then that’s a pretty good indication that you’re laying up the things of God in your heart. Instead of waking up with the latest pop music in your head, you’re thinking of a praise chorus or maybe even a Scripture verse. That is a “song in the night” that God has given you. And that places you in some pretty good company.

In the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for doing the Lord’s work. Prisons in those days were far more primitive than they are today. Archaeologists have discovered what they believe was the actual prison where Paul and Silas were held. It was nothing more than a dark hole, without ventilation—a hot and horrible place to be.

How did these two servants of God respond to their brutal predicament? “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening” (Acts 16:25 NLT).

The word listening is significant. In the original language, it means to listen very carefully. Another way to translate the phrase is “they listened with pleasure.”

I doubt that the other prisoners had ever heard anyone sing in that dungeon before. And I think the simple fact that Paul and Silas were singing at all in such a place was a powerful testimony. It takes a special spiritual perspective to recognize a dark, airless dungeon as a platform for evangelism. Believers can talk about trusting God in adversity all we want. But when people see that trust in action in our lives, our testimony takes on an undeniable authenticity. Our witness becomes exponentially more powerful. Our faith becomes more real, more practical, and more desirable to others. Worship can be a powerful tool for unbelievers to be exposed to.

The great British preacher C. H. Spurgeon said, “Any man can sing in the day . . . It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but he is the skilful singer who can sing when there is not a ray of light by which to read . . . Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of man.”

When you’re in pain, the midnight hour (in the figurative or literal sense) is not the easiest time for a worship service. ButGod can give you songs in the night. And never doubt it: People will be listening.

 

Reflection question: What might a “song in the night” look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.&rdquo; (Acts 16:25 NLT)
&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s devotions, we&rsquo;re going to look at the book of Acts&mdash;specifically, the people, situations, encounters, and experiences that laid the groundwork for the church as we know it today. And we&rsquo;re going to start with one of the most famous worship scenes in the New Testament.
Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night by a Christian song or worship chorus running through your mind? If so, then that&rsquo;s a pretty good indication that you&rsquo;re laying up the things of God in your heart. Instead of waking up with the latest pop music in your head, you&rsquo;re thinking of a praise chorus or maybe even a Scripture verse. That is a &ldquo;song in the night&rdquo; that God has given you. And that places you in some pretty good company.
In the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for doing the Lord&rsquo;s work. Prisons in those days were far more primitive than they are today. Archaeologists have discovered what they believe was the actual prison where Paul and Silas were held. It was nothing more than a dark hole, without ventilation&mdash;a hot and horrible place to be.
How did these two servants of God respond to their brutal predicament? &ldquo;Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening&rdquo; (Acts 16:25 NLT).
The word listening is significant. In the original language, it means to listen very carefully. Another way to translate the phrase is &ldquo;they listened with pleasure.&rdquo;
I doubt that the other prisoners had ever heard anyone sing in that dungeon before. And I think the simple fact that Paul and Silas were singing at all in such a place was a powerful testimony. It takes a special spiritual perspective to recognize a dark, airless dungeon as a platform for evangelism. Believers can talk about trusting God in adversity all we want. But when people see that trust in action in our lives, our testimony takes on an undeniable authenticity. Our witness becomes exponentially more powerful. Our faith becomes more real, more practical, and more desirable to others. Worship can be a powerful tool for unbelievers to be exposed to.
The great British preacher C. H. Spurgeon said, &ldquo;Any man can sing in the day . . . It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but he is the skilful singer who can sing when there is not a ray of light by which to read . . . Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of man.&rdquo;
When you&rsquo;re in pain, the midnight hour (in the figurative or literal sense) is not the easiest time for a worship service. But God can give you songs in the night. And never doubt it: People will be listening.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What might a &ldquo;song in the night&rdquo; look like in your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Worshipping God even in the worst circumstances is a powerful witness.