Midnight Oil
Wednesday, October 30
Exodus 11:4 (KJV)
“And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:”
Devotion
Normally, very few people are moving around outside at midnight on any day, with the exceptions of first-responders or individuals working the midnight shift. But unlike people, our God never sleeps, nor slumbers. (Psalm 121:4). God will always be our first responder and God likes moving around at midnight.
Spiritual attacks seem to befall us after it gets dark, especially during the night time. When it is quiet; when our bodies and minds are finally settled down from the days’ activities and pressures. When the sleep of a laboring man is sweet. (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
Often we are roused from sleep; perhaps a pain in our bodies, a bad dream or from a sorrow we had hoped we could have put to bed. Yet alas, we are wide awake. Wanting to sleep, wanting to forget, but the sleep doesn’t come. We lie awake in our beds, awake in the quiet. We may become afraid. We may even feel alone in the darkness. We choose to lie still, in the hopes that we will hear God. We yearn to hear God.
Had we not read further in chapter 11 of Exodus, we would not be privy to what God was doing there at midnight in Egypt. Throughout the Bible accounts, many things occur around the midnight hour of the night:
- Praise and Worship is being uttered forth as prison doors are being opened (Acts 16:25)
- Revelation knowledge is being given and administered to those who are diseased, and battles are being won (2 Kings 7:5)
It is apparent, God is most active near the midnight hour. Especially in our midnight hour, and the night watches of our struggles and despair.
God will always be our First Responder. God will always be there in our darkest of nights, as His Dawn breaks.
“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8).
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You that You neither slumber nor sleep and often provide for chains to be loosed and enemies to be defeated at midnight. Help me to stand firm until the end. Help me not to grow impatient. Speak to me through Your Word, through Your Holy Spirit, through wise counsel, and through song. Help me to know when to hold my peace and when to take action. Oh, Lord, I have so often messed things up when I've become impatient and put my human strength into action. Help me to wait upon the Lord so that I renew my strength. In the Name of Jesus, I Pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Sometimes we have an indication from God that His intervention is about to happen, sometimes we are surprised. God is not slow as some understand slowness. Our faith is tested by our own impatience. We can be encouraged that in the midnight hour, literal or figurative, Jesus said that he is always working (John 5:17). Practice turning your mind and spirit to God in those midnight moments. With practice, you will train yourself to seek your deliverance, your answer, your peace, your renewed strength from Him.
Resources:
- Watch this message, “Break Up, Break Out, Breakthrough”, and be encouraged to know that your breakthrough is on the way.
- Read Judges 7:19-22 – Gideon's victory over the Midianites occurred around the middle of the night, showcasing how God uses the cover of darkness for victory.