PHILIPPIANS 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
THEME OF THE DAY: REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. The scripture reference of the day is not met with any resistance from us. It is something we take pleasure in doing – rejoicing in the Lord. He is worthy. We are grateful. He commands it. We obey it. He deserves it. We delight in it. Yes, the worshipping life is to be the life of the Christian. We find our joy in worship. We fulfill the purpose of our new birth in Christ – But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). All these things surrounding worship are very good but then we find one little word in today’s scripture which puts a challenge to the rejoicing in Christ life. It is the word always. One word. Huge implications.
Now when it comes to the use of the word “always” in the human realm, we need to be careful. It gets really over used and often proves not true. Here are a couple illustrations. Ever been in an emotionally-charged conversation and a statement is made, “Every time this happens, you always say that or do that”? Really? Always? Every time? Or how about answering a person’s question when they ask about a habit or routine we have and we respond, “I always (fill in the blank).” Really? Always? Every time? No, if we are honest we are not an “always” person in life. But when it comes to the Lord Jesus, He is an “always” Person – And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him (John 8:29). And when it comes to His command to “rejoice always” that doesn’t allow for a “pick and choose” life of when to obey it. Like when we encounter what the Apostle Paul tells us is in his letter to the Romans – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance (Romans 5:1-3). Did we notice the “when” of rejoicing? In suffering. All suffering. All the time. Now the application . . .
The command to “rejoice in the Lord always” does not allow for us to only rejoice when circumstances in life are easy and our feelings are not down in the pits of the “spiritual blues.” It is to obeyed always and that only possible through a life yielded to and empowered by God’s Spirit and our personal resolve to “rejoice always” regardless of circumstances or feelings.
We are called to be a rejoicing in the Lord people. It is part of the “born again” DNA and includes in all circumstances. And here is a really encouraging truth; what God commands of us, He provides the strength to us to obey the command! Rejoice. Always. It is right and good.
PRAYER: “Father, help me see that rejoicing in Your Son brings great delight to You but so does rejoicing in my suffering.”
QUOTE: “To obey the command to ‘rejoice in the Lord always’ means obedience regardless of circumstances or feelings.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim