REJOICE IN THE LORD
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
The Christian life should be one of rejoicing. Everyone wants to have joy and happiness in his life. For those who are unsaved, happiness is always conditional. They can have joy when circumstances are favorable, friends are available, and resources are plentiful. However, the follower of Jesus Christ has the distinct advantage when it comes to the possibility of enjoying this journey. There is always cause for rejoicing because He never changes; and in Him, we are secure and gloriously blessed. His grace and mercy are unchanging, and His promises are eternal. Our rejoicing is spiritual rather than circumstantial. Even in adversity and difficulty, we are told to rejoice.
When Paul wrote the church members in Philippi, he was in a prison cell. He encouraged them to “Rejoice.” How is it that the man of God was able to rejoice and admonish others to do the same, while suffering as a prisoner for Jesus Christ? It is because, our rejoicing is “in the Lord.” Our joy is not dependent on our physical condition as much as our spiritual position. Our consistent rejoicing is possible because of our position in Christ. Paul could not have said this if his rejoicing depended on his environment because he was often persecuted, betrayed, and imprisoned. Because our rejoicing is based on spiritual reality, rejoicing is a decision, not simply an emotion.
We are commanded to rejoice whether we feel like rejoicing or not. We are to “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” Always includes at all times and in all things. By faith, we can rejoice knowing that God’s love is consistent and that His way is best. True believers have much to rejoice about, and it is inconsistent with our profession if we are not living a joyful life in the Lord.
Rejoicing is a very important discipline for the Christian for numerous reasons. A rejoicing lifestyle is good for us. It is actually healthier to be happy. The Bible says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). It is also good for those that we seek to influence to see that we enjoy the Christian life. It will be difficult to convince others of the benefits of following Christ if we are not rejoicing in Him and His goodness. Most importantly, it brings glory to God. He receives the honor when our rejoicing is in His goodness and grace in our lives.