-May 2, 2022-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
(Philippians 4:4)
Life is about choices, and for us as believers in Christ it is about choosing to rejoice in the Lord even in the midst of difficult, painful, and troubled times. We cannot choose our trials, but we can change our reaction to them. Someone once said, “Pain in inevitable, misery is optional.” Feeling sorry for ourselves, complaining, or blaming others others are not profitable or viable options for us.
When our attitude is joyful, we can thank God in everything and for everything. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Choosing joy is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you just look at what Paul went through, it will become clear it was a difficult path for him, yet he had the joy the Lord. He was so happy that the Lord had saved him and was with him daily. He looked beyond the circumstances of life on earth to eternity with Jesus in heaven. He suffered for Christ, knowing he would one day reign with Him.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul cataloged what he went through: “Labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. Five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” Wow, what a list! I know my sufferings have never come close to his!
If Paul could rejoice in all that he went through, I can rejoice in what I go through. He was such a great example to all of us. We often think we could not have handled what he handled, but we must realize God gave him the same sufficient grace that is ours in Christ also. Twice in today’s text Paul uses the word rejoice. He highlighted and emphasized it. May the Lord help us to choose joy over misery. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Have a blessed day rejoicing in the Lord always, our unlimited source of joy. Stay safe and healthy.
In His marvelous love and grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 