Saturday Song: Rupert Hine, "House Arrest"

What an unprecedented situation the world faces. Never has the population of the entire planet been quarantined or restricted socially. Plagues have broken out over vast areas of the planet throughout history, yet the entire globe has never feared a flu.

Since it feels like we're all under House Arrest, here's a song by Rupert Hine regarding that condition. Listen to it here:

Believe it or not, the Apostle Paul was placed under house arrest. Luke tells us in Acts 28:30 and 31 (BBE), "And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so."

Thanks to that house arrest, many people heard the gospel in Rome. In fact, we read how far up the chain of command the gospel spread in Philippians 4:22 (BBE). "All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house."

Paul also realized the advantage which his incarceration brought to his preaching ministry. Philippians 1:12 and 13 (BBE) reads, "Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;"

Thanks to Paul's many imprisonments, he wrote many of the letters which we now have in our Bibles. Not being able to visit churches or preach to crowds, he had the time to pen epistles to congregations and individuals alike.

The most poignant letter of those is Second  Timothy. We read in chapter four, verses nine through eleven (BBE),  "Do your best to come to me before long: For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to me in the work."

So if your plans are squashed by being confined to your home, you can do like Paul and encourage others with a phone call, text, or e-mail. Even an old fashion letter would cheer up folks.

On Monday, provided Christ doesn't return first, I hope to publish a post about war and when it will finally end.