-September 12, 2020-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
-Rejoice In The Lord Always-
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!”
(Philippians 4:4).
Joy comes from our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, not from our circumstances. The Lord never changes whereas our circumstances change daily or even hourly. Paul wrote the epistle to the Philippians from prison, so if anyone had reason to be discouraged it was him. Instead he made the decision to rejoice in the Lord. It is the same decision we ourselves must make daily.
Our joyfulness overflows from hearts that are so thankful for what the Lord has done for us. The Christian who rejoices in the Lord is both thankful to Him and content in Him. The believer is not insulated, immune, or isolated from pain, disappointment, hardship, trouble, and sorrow; but the Lord is with us through it all. Someone once said, “Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.” We can’t choose our trials but we can choose our reaction to them. James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).
Paul gives a simple, very encouraging recipe for successful living in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” These verses are like spiritual vitamins for the soul. This is the prescription from the Great Physician: take daily or more often as needed.
If we don’t choose to rejoice we are prone to complaining, discouragement, worry, and fear. That is what the devil wants us to experience. On the other hand, Lord wants us to experience joy, encouragement, thanksgiving, and peace.
I don’t know what you are going through today, and you don’t know what I am going through. It is so important for us to share our needs with each other and pray for one another. Let us choose to rejoice. Paul uses the word “rejoice,” twice in our verse, showing how important it is. May we pray for one another to rejoice in the Lord today.
Have a blessed day rejoicing in the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 