Everyone’s bands were Loosed!

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16:25-26 (KJV)

When praise pierces through the moment of hardship; when a song cuts through the season of anguish, when the sun has long since set and morning is yet far distant and the midnight hour is shaken with words of faith, God opens every locked door as the chains of restraint fall away.

How can this be? Beloved, your Omnipotent God and Father loves to respond to and reward faith for those whose joy is based in their unswerving trust in Him. This is what is revealed to us as we read:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

The Rewarder of faith recompenses those who (ekzeteo) worshipfully enquire after Him by seeking Him carefully and diligently. He responds to and rewards those who crave His presence in whatever circumstance or situation they may find themselves.

Praise, especially the sacrifice of praise, makes a demand upon Him to come into any given situation as one who takes our place. He inhabits (yashab) our praise. This means that He comes and sits down with us to judge our cause. He will settle whatever issue is at hand by joining Himself to us as One who is joined with us in a marriage covenant relationship.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

You and I are never alone in anything. He has promised, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” and “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Mat. 28:20: Heb. 13:5 KJV).