A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to teach at the Write About Jesus Workshop in St. Charles, MO. This being my first time at the event, I was excited to teach classes around the topic of writing about Jesus.
One of those topics ended up being the midnight song. This is the song we write and sing from the place of our hurt and suffering. The idea of the midnight song comes from Acts 16:
“After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
We all know this story — Paul and Silas have been beaten near the point of death and thrown in prison, yet they are singing praises for all the prisoners to hear. The midnight song is exactly that — when you’re hurt, suffering, and there’s nothing left to do… you sing anyway. You sing about the faithfulness, goodness, and greatness of the God who calls us to do this. Wouldn’t you love to hear the other songs Paul and Silas were singing that night?
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1 that there is connection between our suffering, hardships and trials to our praise. They are interrelated:
“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith— more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire— may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The various trials we endure result in praise, glory, and honor. We have all asked the question, “Lord, why do I have to go through this?” Part of the answer is, because there’s a song on the other end of it that you would never touch any other way.
Mike Harland is the Director of Lifeway Worship. When he’s not directing 30+ employees, you’ll find him leading worship at various churches around the country, writing/arranging worship songs and/or, writing his next book (checkout his latest book: Worship Essentials). In his spare time, he loves playing basketball and spending time with his family (and his two new grand-babies). Visit MikeHarland.com to keep up with all that Mike has going on.
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