Rejoice in the Lord
Do you rejoice in the Lord always? God’s Word commands us to in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians at Philippi. He wrote in verse 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” What do you suppose those believers thought when they read those bold words?
My guess is that they recalled that time when Paul and Silas arrived in their city to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m sure they remembered how those servants of the Lord were jailed on fabricated charges. Most of all, I’m confident that they were reminded of what happened in that original jailhouse rock. Paul and Silas weren’t complaining about being wrongly accused. They weren’t threatening to file suit for false arrest. Scripture records, “(they) were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) That passage in the book of Acts goes on to report destruction of the jail by an earthquake, and salvation of the jailer as a result of their testimony. So, when Paul’s letter arrived, exhorting them to “rejoice in the Lord always,” they understood how important it is to have a proper Christian attitude before an unbelieving and skeptical world. But how can a Christian maintain a joyful heart at all times? Is it really possible? First of all, joy is a fruit of the Spirit—it is not something we can muster up by our own strength in the flesh. In order to bear the spiritual fruit of joy, a believer must be obediently walking in the Spirit. The key to rejoicing at all times? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) You have to get beyond your circumstances (jailhouse or whatever) and depend on the grace of God. Yes, it is possible to rejoice in the Lord always!
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.