Dear Ones:
The “Macedonian Call” was a very significant event in the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul and Silas went in response to that call to the town of Philippi in Asia Minor to preach Christ. There, because Paul had cast a “spirit of divination” out of a young woman, they were subsequently beaten and cast into prison. The were placed in the “inner prison,” and their feet were put into stocks. It is then, in spite of the pain of their ordeal, and the “aloneness,” that something remarkable happened. “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.” (Acts 16:25) If ever there was a reason, a proof of the veracity of true Christianity, it is in that moment when Paul and Silas prayed and sang. There was a consequent earthquake, and as a result, the jailor of the prison came to Christ. What does such an experience, in such difficult and painful circumstances, reveal to us? Only that, it is by the living, overcoming and conquering Christ in the heart, that such an experience is possible. Though Christ was (is) “touched with feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses),” He IS untouchable (unaffected by circumstances), unalterable, undeniably present, faithful and true. And though there is suffering, yet, there is the experience of His presence, His joy, which no man can take away. The Spirit of God fills these men with His peace, joy, and praise.
Paul and Silas would later be released from prison, and because of their witness, a church would be born in Philippi. To this church, at a later date, Paul would write a letter. He would write it from Rome, himself a “prisoner of Nero.” What is so very noteworthy about this letter, is that it overflows with joy and rejoicing. It is true that the Philippians had a special place in the heart of the Apostle, and as such, he certainly wanted to communicate to them the very essence of the Christian experience. His message was that of an experience where, “…Christian joy is more and better than happiness, because it does not depend on what happens.”
Out of the depths of His experience of this joy, the Apostle writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.” (4:4) David experienced this same great reality when he wrote, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart.” (Ps. 37:4) What are these two men declaring by instructing us in this manner? They are bringing to light that God, in Christ, by the Spirit, IS our joy, a joy that will never diminish in its overwhelming magnitude and essence. And it is a Joy, from which we will NEVER be separated, for we are one with Christ. Our experience of it will depend upon our appropriation of it by faith. Not only does rejoicing in the Lord please God, as it is an act and attitude of faith, but it is by that means that God reveals His joy in our hearts.
In 2 Chronicles 20:22, we find that Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and his people, were soon to be attacked by a multitude of enemies. Jehoshaphat sought the Lord, and the Lord told him to, “…stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” (20:17) It would be, after Jehoshaphat had appointed “singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness,” WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING, that the Lord set an ambush against the enemies of Judah…and they were smitten. The point is this. When we set our hearts to rejoice in the Lord always, He works to reveal His joy, His victory in us. I believe I can say that all of the victorious Christians that I have met in my life, have been rejoicing Christians. They were learning to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.
Dear Lord Jesus, fill us with Thy joy. And strengthen our hearts to always rejoice in Thee regardless of circumstances. May Thy joy increasingly characterize us, that the world may see and know that Thy joy is NOT of this world, but of Thee, and Thee alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad