IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

TO THE BIBLE
Acts 8:7-8
“For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”

LET’S TALK

Philip, the evangelist, had preached Christ in the city of Samaria, and the power of God’s Word prevailed so much that many were healed and set free from demons. The result was that the city erupted in great joy. Another time, Paul and Silas were cast into prison, persecuted for preaching the Gospel. Nevertheless, “at midnight,” (it doesn’t get darker than it gets at midnight), they prayed and sang praises to God, and the other prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25). They expressed their joy in the very early hours of the morning, and the result was a supernatural jailbreak. God shook up the prison, broke their bands and flung the gates open. They remained joyful in adversity, and gave expression to their joy.

What are the expressions of joy? Well, laughter is an expression of joy. Praising God—being jubilant and enthusiastic with praise to Him—is another expression of joy. Singing songs of praise in thanksgiving is an expression of joy. The Bible says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). Joy is one of the fruits of the recreated human spirit (Galatians 5:22); therefore, your joy as a child of God should be independent of circumstances. It shouldn’t be based on what’s happening to you or around you; it shouldn’t have anything to do with what others say or do to you.

You can be joyful in the midst of trouble. You must learn to give expression to your joy. Always be cheerful and exuberant with praise, knowing that it takes a joyful and happy person to make others joyful and happy. If you’re not joyful, you can’t effectively preach the Gospel and win others to Christ.

GO DEEPER

Job 5:22
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

2 Chronicles 20:22
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Isaiah 12:3
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

PRAY
I thank you Father for making my life a bundle of joy and happiness. Your joy in my heart is my strength, and with joy, I draw out prosperity, peace, success, health and other blessings from deep within me today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING

ONE YEAR
2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Proverbs 22-23

TWO YEAR
Luke 21:29-38, 1 Samuel 27

ACT
Spend time having a good laugh today; don’t worry about who’s watching, just enjoy yourself in the Spirit.