About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25
“Divine deliverance takes place in the context of Paul and Silas singing and praising God near midnight. The other prisoners hear their praise. Tertullian says of this event, “The legs feel nothing in the stocks when the heart is in heaven.”
Darrell Bock in Acts (BECNT; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007) 540.
After two weeks with Chris Maphosa touring Southern Africa by car and plane, I will long remember him as Silas. He sees me as Paul. We had some amazing times of generous service, but the highlight, was worshipping God during five difficult hours with unkind authorities at a border crossing and then experiencing divine deliverance.
And with others watching, only later we realized that it was our greatest ministry moment on the trip. What we do in crisis reveals our faith most? Want to have a generous witness? Bock reveals the secret unveiled by Tertullian. Put your heart in heaven and nothing can phase you! No news. No opposition. No crisis.
I am heading home today. By the time this posts I will be starting my journey. I should arrive home Tuesday afternoon, by God’s grace. But I will always remember that when it’s the darkest of night, near midnight, the only right thing to do is worship. For others are listening and it may be my greatest ministry moment, and yours too!