I was reading, “Why Revival Tarries”, by Leonard Ravenhill. As he recommended unction, spiritual fervor, passion, rather than mere emotionalism, I recalled Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison. I imagined their conversation. Paul asks, “Silas, are you OK from the flogging?” Yes, I can’t stop thinking how Yeshua was treated like this, but much worse.” “Exactly.” said Paul, “Following in His footsteps places us in the center of God’s will?” “Yes, though I had preferred it would be sharing more of Yeshua in the city and watching His power impart faith, open blind eyes and hearts.” Paul responded, “Yes, Heaven rejoices in the harvest, but I sense the Spirit’s presence very heavily right now in this place.” “Me too, let’s praise Him and make this jail a welcome place for Him to enter,” said Silas. Together they sang hymns interspersed with prayers of thanksgiving and prophetic utterance led by the Spirit in ecstatic worship. 

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-30)

Years later, Paul found himself again in prison, this time in Rome. He would spend over a year in prison, but well attended to by the congregation of Believers and friends, occupied with letters to the Congregations, associates and protégés. Though he longed to be set free and travel with the Gospel, he never forgot that night the Lord came in and broke off prison chains and doors with gospel power, saving a Jailer. Perhaps he reminded himself that being in prison could be the center of God’s will when he referred to himself as “The  Prisoner of Christ Jesus.” It may also be that God was so pleased with Paul’s behavior and sensitivity to the Spirit while in Prison, that it pleased Him to place Paul there again, for His good pleasure. Considering all the epistles Paul wrote from prison through divine inspiration of the Spirit, surely the place was heavy with His presence. Perhaps we will consider God’s way as that which brings Him the most glory.