“‘Rejoice in the Lord always:’ and again, I say, ‘Rejoice.'” Philippians 4:4
Dear Ones:
Many have been the books written on the subject of how to live above life’s difficulties, problems, and suffering. But nowhere is there a more simple, and yet profound, directive than that used by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians to address this matter. In fact, he mentions “rejoicing in the Lord” in two separate chapters of Philippians, and again in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica, adding, “…AGAIN I say, Rejoice.” (4:4) Why does he address life, indicating that this directive is imperative? First of all, the answer lies in that it is the “natural” thing to do in the economy of God. Think about this…there is no one so good, so gracious, merciful, loving, caring, powerful and mighty, as the Lord Jesus. The Psalmist would write, “…whom have I in heaven but Thee? …and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.” (Ps. 73:25) How could he say such a thing, with so many who are precious upon this earth? The answer lies in the comparison of the Creator with the created, the Eternal Love with the love of sinful man, and finally, the overwhelming beauty and loveliness of Christ our Redeemer, as compared to us who can redeem no one. There is NO comparison in magnitude, love, or beauty, between all on this earth, and “our Father which art in heaven.” So then, it is the natural thing for us as God’s creatures, having been bought with the precious blood of Christ, that we should enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise….there to fall down, and worship Him who is from everlasting to everlasting the same.
Another reason for which we are to “rejoice in the Lord always” is that, there is never a MOMENT when He is not worthy of our greatest attention, and highest admiration and devotion. In the book of the Revelation, we discover that the Lord is constantly worshipped because of His overwhelming, unchanging uniqueness. We call this uniqueness, “holiness.” This “holiness” is a word that expresses the separateness of God as our Creator, from all that is of this creation. This uniqueness extends further when it applies to the Redeemer as compared with the redeemed. The concept of holiness leads us to the dominant issue of His constant worthiness. The major point here is that we are called upon to rejoice in the Lord always, for there is not a moment of the day or the night, when He ceases to be, worthy of praise and blessing. “How good is the God we adore, Our faithful unchangeable Friend; His love is as great as His power, And knows neither measure nor end.”
Dear Father, give us to see and know the reality of what David sought, knew, and experienced…delighting Himself in Thee. Strengthen our hearts to always look heavenward to behold Thee in the “beauty of Thy holiness,” and be constantly rejoicing in Thy worthiness and love. Enable us to ever set ourselves to find our highest joy in the “joy of what Thou art,” with the expectation that one day, we will love Thee with unsinning heart. We praise and thank Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad