Variety: Acts 16v25–26

‘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.’ ACTS 16:25–26
 

Pray: Father, I don’t claim to understand the link between worship and freedom, but I thank you for Paul’s prison doors opening.

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was addressed to new believers who were suffering persecution for their faith. Given their circumstances, this command to ‘rejoice always’ has to be seen as a matter of obedient choice, not dependent on feelings: a choice to sing, and to express joyful worship, as Paul himself did when imprisoned.