Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice!
The word itself seems to mean a bit more than just ‘be happy.’ Rejoice! Be joyful; be delighted; be happy with excitement!
Paul wanted the Philippians to rejoice so much that he said it twice. It’s easy to rejoice when life is good. Bills are paid, church work is progressing well, friends in your address book number as many people as live in a small town and no family squabbles to speak of. All of these circumstances give us good reason t rejoice. And we do!
Oh, but wait! Paul said “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Always? Really? Rejoice when the baby keeps me awake most the night? Rejoice when my “baby” moves out of the house? Rejoice when no one seems to like my ladies’ ministry ideas? Rejoice when we sit at loved one’s hospital bedside? Yes, even in those times we are able to find reasons to thank and praise our ever-present God.
God gives us the comfort and peace we desire because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. The NIV footnote tells us this is not a psychological peace, but an inner tranquility based on the peace we have with God. We have that peace because of the forgiveness he gives us. We know that when we fully lay all our cares at the foot of the cross, we can be anxiety-free*.
Finally, God will guard your hearts and your minds. (emphasis added) God could have said, “I will take care of you.” Instead, he gives us a much clearer picture, as a guard standing watch over a prized possession. And God will guard your hearts and your minds, keeping your faith steadfast, even through trials and evil. All of this God does because of Jesus’ perfect life, death and resurrection. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. How comforting!
Rejoice? Certainly! Always? Absolutely! I will say it again: Rejoice!
Ask the Lord
Dear Almighty Father,
Make me ever-mindful of the forgiveness I have in Jesus my Savior. Keep me rejoicing always in the life you've given me on earth and the life that I will have forever with you in heaven. Send your Holy Spirit to live in me that Imay be joyful as I live for you.
Amen.
*A tip for worriers: Do what you can after much thought and prayer. Then trust that God will take it from there.
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