Midnight & The Weight of Glory

Introduction

Acts 16:25–27 NKJV

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

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Background:

Paul and Silas had just been imprisoned for casting a divining spirit out of a slave girl and losing her handlers the chance of profit. While in prison, they sang hymns and prayed. Interestingly enough, midnight (while it did not necessarily mean 12:00 in the Bible), was a time when most were sound asleep. It certainly wasn’t a customary time for Jewish prayers.

Midnight is often taken to represent a dark hour, a time when everything seems lost, but if we look closer at this narrative, we can begin to see the larger picture unfold.

Let’s begin with:

Point 1: A Closer Look at Midnight

Midnight, in essence, represents the darkest hour of the night. It is a time when the world is enveloped in shadows, when weary souls seek rest, and when the depths of despair and uncertainty often seem most palpable.

In the Scriptures, midnight is a recurring motif, a time of pivotal events and encounters with the divine.

In the book of Exodus, we read of the tenth plague that befell Egypt. It was at the stroke of midnight that the Lord struck down every firstborn in the land, while sparing the Israelites who had marked their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb.

It was a time of both judgment and deliverance—a moment when the weight of God's glory descended upon a nation and changed the course of history.

Midnight serves as a metaphor for the dark and difficult seasons of our lives. We all face moments of pain, loss, and uncertainty—times when it feels as though we are navigating through the darkness, unsure of what lies ahead. But it is precisely in those moments that the weight of glory becomes most evident.

Midnight is also a time of profound personal reflection. The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:62

Psalm 119:62 NKJV

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

In the stillness and solitude of the late hour, the psalmist finds solace in communing with God, expressing gratitude for His guidance and wisdom, but if you play real close attention, you will see that there is a pattern here of praising during midnight.

There is a balance to be found. The author of Hebrews tells us

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

A sacrifice of praise is praising when you don’t want to praise, when things are at their darkest.. it is your declaration to God that I don’t care how dark it is, IM GONNA PRAISE YOU ANYHOW.

When Paul and Silas took this attitude in that darkest hour, what began as a duet ended up as a trio when God joined in with a rumbling bass so deep that it shook the prison and broke all of the prisoners free.

You see, the trials and tribulations were not the end.. in fact, midnight was the threshold for the weight of glory.

Point 2: The Weight of Glory

Just as midnight is the threshold between darkness and dawn, the weight of glory reminds us that our trials and tribulations are not the end of our story. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, the apostle Paul writes,

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NKJV

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What are Paul’s “light afflictions?”

2 Corinthians 11:25–27 NKJV

25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

Paul understood the bigger picture. He understood that his affliction was light compared to the weight of the eternal glory that was to come. Paul goes on in chapter 11 to talk about what he calls the “light afflictions” .

To understand the weight of glory and to consider eternity is to put everything in its actual perspective. What consideration does a mile give to a single inch? No more than eternity gives to mortal affliction. In fact, when you look at the eternal picture, you will soon come to realize that it was our midnights that made us.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us that “He has placed eternity in our hearts.” When we begin to consider the true weight of glory and the measure of eternity, our tribulation and trials don’t seem so bad in comparison. Furthermore, we understand one of two things:

We are not only going to make it through the midnight, but in fact, the midnight is what is going to make us.

Point 3: Midnight Made Us

James, the brother of Jesus reminded us of just this thing in his epistle.

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

It is our midnights that strengthen us, but when we recognize the pattern and give up that sacrifice of praise, God will not only strengthen you, He will bring in a glory so immense that your obedience to Him will draw others:

We see it with what happened with Paul and Silas.

The prisoners had no shackles and the guard was about to end his life by his own sword, but Paul filled with the spirit understanding the weight of glory and eternity forsook vengeance and offense. He saw the greater thing.

Acts 16:28–34 NKJV

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

As a result, an entire household was saved.

Conclusion:

In the midst of our midnight experiences—the moments when we feel overwhelmed, burdened, or lost—let us remember that there is a weight of glory awaiting us. It is a glory that far surpasses any temporary affliction we may endure. It is the glory of our eternal inheritance in Christ, the assurance of His presence, and the promise of a future redeemed and restored.

As we face the challenges of life, may we be encouraged to rise at midnight, just as the psalmist did, to seek God's face and give thanks for His unfailing love. And in those moments, may we also recognize the weight of glory, the transformative power of God's grace, which sustains us and gives us hope in the darkest of times.

In fact, just as with Paul and Silas that unfolding grace could very well draw and lead others to Christ.

We must remember that midnight is not a place of despair, IT IS A THRESHOLD TO ENCOUNTER THE WEIGHT OF GOD’S GLORY.

Altar Call.