Jesu, juva
Even From Prison
Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
THE BACKSTORY
How many times have you heard this verse quoted as encouragement without knowing where it came from?
We toss it around like it’s easy. “Rejoice in the Lord always!” Sure. When life is good, that’s simple.
But look at who wrote it. And where he was when he wrote it.
Paul was in prison.
Not just any prison. A Roman prison. The conditions were brutal. Cold floor. Damp walls. Hard rock for a resting place. The guards weren’t known for their hospitality. And Paul had no idea how long he’d be there or if he’d even survive.
He’s writing this letter to the Philippians from the comfort of a campfire? From the shade of a nice tree? From freedom?
No. He’s writing from a painful place where he doesn’t know if he and Silas will live to see tomorrow.
And from that place, he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
YOUR PRISON
Imagine yourself in the middle of something brutal. Severe physical pain. Mental anguish. Emotional devastation. You’re dealing with it, barely holding on, and some well-meaning Christian walks up and says:
“Rejoice in the Lord always!”
Then they go on about their business without actually helping. How would you feel? I know how I I’d have some internal dialogue with them that wouldn’t be very charitable.
“Oh really? Do you rejoice in the Lord when you’re in serious pain or in a difficult situation right now?”
I’m guilty. I wouldn’t have said that out loud, but I’d have thought it.
WHAT PAUL KNEW
But Paul wasn’t being flippant. He was sincere. He used this language from hard conditions inside prison. How?
Because Paul was praising God for who He was, not for deliverance from the situation.
Read that again. Paul wasn’t praising God because he got out of prison. He was praising God for who God is, regardless of Paul’s circumstances.
How often do we prioritize praising God only when He gives us favorable responses to our requests for help? That’s wonderful. We should praise Him for His provision. But the bigger question is this:
How often do we praise Him from the heart while still in tough situations, not yet knowing the outcome?
THE REAL TEST
Anyone can praise God when things go well. When the answer is yes. When the breakthrough comes. When the healing happens. When the check arrives. When the relationship is restored.
But can you praise Him in the prison?
Can you rejoice when you’re still waiting? When the answer hasn’t come? When the pain hasn’t stopped? When the outcome is unknown?
That’s the test. That’s what Paul is showing us.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Not rejoice in your circumstances. Not rejoice when things are good. Rejoice in the Lord. In who He is. In His character. In His faithfulness. In His sovereignty.
Always means always.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
You may be in a battle right now. Maybe it’s financial. Maybe it’s health. Maybe it’s family. Maybe it’s spiritual warfare that’s beating you down.
You’re asking God for help. For deliverance. For relief. For a breakthrough.
And you should. Keep asking. Keep knocking. Keep seeking.
But while you’re waiting, rejoice.
Not because the problem is solved. Not because the pain is gone. But because God is still God. He is still faithful. He is still sovereign. He is still good. He is still worthy of praise.
Paul didn’t know if he’d get out of that prison alive. But he knew God. And that was enough to rejoice.
You don’t know how your situation will turn out. But you know God. And that is enough.
HOW TO REJOICE IN PRISON
This isn’t easy. Let’s be honest. When you’re in pain, rejoicing feels impossible. But it’s a choice. A discipline. A weapon.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Shift your focus from your circumstances to God’s character.
Stop staring at the problem. Look at who God is. He is faithful. He is sovereign. He is good. He has never failed you. He won’t start now.
2. Remember what He’s already done.
You’ve been through battles before. He brought you through. Stack those memories. They’re evidence of His faithfulness. They’re fuel for praise.
3. Praise Him out loud.
Don’t just think it. Say it. Declare it. “God, You are faithful. You are good. You are sovereign. I trust You.” Speak it into the darkness of your prison.
4. Do it even when you don’t feel like it.
This is warfare. Your feelings will lie to you. Praise anyway. The feelings will follow. But even if they don’t, you’re still doing what’s right.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REJOICE
When Paul and Silas praised God in prison, the chains fell off. The doors flew open. The jailer got saved. The story didn’t end in defeat. It ended in victory.
But even if the chains hadn’t fallen off, they still would have been right to praise Him.
Because praising God in the prison does something in you. It shifts your perspective. It strengthens your faith. It reminds you who’s really in control.
And sometimes, it breaks the chains.
Brother, if you’re in a hard place. I get it. But don’t wait for deliverance to praise Him. Praise Him now. In the prison. In the pain. In the unknown.
Because He is worthy. Always.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.
Blane
SDG
Leave a Reply