Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”
Have you ever been so excited you just couldn't keep it in? Maybe your wedding day or the wedding of your child. A birth, a new home, a great job opportunity. Sometimes we can even get excited to share a new car, a fun recreational toy we bought, or the home renovation we just finished.
Then there are those times we're so excited we clap with joy. Maybe you've watched game shows where people are clapping for joy over winning a new car, vacations, or even money. Maybe you've been to a sports game where clapping happens over the teams that are winning. We clap at our child's school performances or when they win an award. We've been at performances where we've clapped for joy for those performing.
There are many things worth celebrating on this earth and there is nothing wrong with getting excited about these things, but let's put it all into some perspective. Life on earth is only temporary, there are so many things eternal to get even more excited for.
It's interesting that Paul penned the words in Philippians, even though he really had nothing to rejoice over. At the time Paul wrote this he was in prison and some of his Christian brothers were making it worse for him. Yet, despite his trials Paul had found the source of true joy. David also shared the reason for rejoicing. "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise." Psalm 47, excerpts.
Everyone has reasons to be excited and find reasons to clap for joy. Yet for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus, they have a reason to find excitement in all circumstances. They know that in Jesus they have something permanent, eternal, and heavenly. This inspires them to clap, shout, or cry with joy, beyond the earthly things that surround them.
Yet, how do we rejoice when so much robs us of our joy? Loss of loved ones, sickness, relationship struggles, and so much more.
When Paul tells us to rejoice always, does that mean we should always be skipping around in good times and bad? After all, in the Greek word- chairo, it means be glad, be delighted. So, be glad always? This is what Paul commands in Philippians.
I believe Paul is telling us our deep sense of joy is found in celebrating God's goodness, salvation, and the blessings He gives. Jesus is our joy, constant steadfast hope. True joy is not in getting what we want but realizing we have been given salvation even though we deserve judgment. When you fully understand this, you truly have a reason to celebrate in all circumstances good and bad. You can drink deeply from the well of salvation in the midst of struggles. Rejoice always, clap for joy, sing praises even when the tears are streaming down your face.
Rejoice always, not because of the things around us, but in the relationship we have with our Savior. Shifting our perspective can bring lasting happiness.
We can rejoice in Jesus because….
- He is: eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, Creator of the entire universe.
- There is no limit to His glory and greatness.
- Rejoice for what the Lord has done for each of us: I was lost and He found me. By His blood I am forgiven and redeemed!
- We have been adopted into His family. We have an inheritance with Him.
- He is with us wherever we go.
- He goes ahead of me in each battle I face and no matter what comes my way, I have victory because Jesus fights for me.
I was full of joy on my wedding day and rejoiced over the births of my children. My husband and I rejoice and celebrate accomplishments and good things that happen to us and around us. These can be significant times in our lives.
But the most meaningful rejoicing I have found is in my relationship with Jesus. Exploring God's creation, sharing Jesus with others, seeing loved ones choose Jesus. Celebrating what He has done in my life and the things He has helped me find victory over. When Paul tells us to rejoice always it means it's a continued ongoing process throughout each day, in good times and even when bad times come our way.
Even when it hurts, rejoice in the Lord. You will have your mountain top experiences full of joy, but you will be down in the valley a lot too. Rejoice because on your brightest days and on your darkest days, Jesus is walking beside you and you’re doing life together.
Rejoice in the Lord always and you not only will see physical and emotional benefits but spiritual benefits too. Rejoice, it heals the spirit and soul- Proverbs 17:22. Rejoice, you will feel a continued desire to pray and seek the Lord- Job 33:26. Rejoice, and find a new spiritual strength- Nehemiah 8:10. Rejoice, and receive victory from the Lord- 2 Chronicles 20:21. Rejoice, draw from the well of salvation and provision- Isaiah 12:3. Rejoice, Jesus will immediately fill you with joy- Psalm 16:11.
Today, take off your garment of heaviness and put on your garment of praise. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
There are so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord and find joy in His strength. We simple need to open His Word and study the stories, lessons, and teachings to find joy in Jesus. In our weakest moments we can find joy in the Lord and at our best we can find time to sing His praises. No matter what we are going through Jesus tells us to simply have faith and we will find joy and praise in Him. Our study this week will continue on having faith in God and the reasons we don't need to be afraid.
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