“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
Dear Ones:
There is a monumental difference between “trying” to be happy, or joyful, and “rejoicing in the Lord.” Why? It all boils down to this: one attitude and action is based entirely upon FAITH, the other is not. What do we mean by this, and what is the basis for rejoicing in the Lord?
To grasp something of the reason for which rejoicing in the Lord is a matter of faith, we need to take a look at the unchanging character of God. We know that God told Moses that His name was: “I AM THAT I AM.” We find the same concept and truth in the book of Hebrews, concerning the Lord Jesus: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (13:8) Why is the concept of the eternal, unchanging character of Christ, so very important in the consideration of rejoicing? It has to do with His perpetual worth, and value. God in Christ is first and foremost, HOLY, completely separate from His creation, unique, solely, God. As such, we find from the earliest testimony in Scripture, that He is perfectly GOOD, for all that He made was the reflection of that goodness. We see also that He is all-powerful, sovereign, perfectly wise, possessing all knowledge. When Christ came as the perfect man, He manifested God’s beauty, love, joy, peace, mercy and grace. There was not a moment, a second, when He was not ALL that He had ever been with the Father, only that He had laid aside His glory for a time to redeem us all by the shedding of His precious blood. So, when we are called to rejoice in Him, delight ourselves in Him, we are called to look upon this One who is perfect, good, love, power, wisdom and peace…and so much more. There is not a flaw in Him, and never will be. Hence, the call for us to rejoice perpetually in Him.
In the book of the Revelation, as John has this vision of heaven, and God sitting upon the throne, we find that in the worship of Him, He is constantly being declared “holy.” This is that primary, and most fundamental truth, that is the basis for us rejoicing in Him. God is NOT like sinful man. Though man was made in His image, yet because of sin, that image has been marred and distorted. In the beauty of God’s holiness, He is unique, perfect, and constantly to be adored. It is after we see the proclamation of His perpetual holiness that we are brought to see the central theme of heaven’s worship of Him…that of His worth. The worth, or value, of God in His person, by virtue of what He is, and demonstrated by what He does, is the basic reason for which we are called to rejoice in the Lord always. There is never a moment, when He is not worthy of such adoration and praise, for He changes not, His compassions fail not, “…as He has been, He shall forever be.”
Father, we praise Thee that the Lord Jesus, as the slain Lamb of God, is WORTHY of our worship and praise, every day, and at every moment of the day, for He, “…redeemed us to God by His blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (5:9) We would rejoice in Thee, Father, because of Thy holiness, and eternal love for us. We would rejoice in Thee, Lord Jesus, for You chose to go to the cross to redeem us to God, from the slavery of sin and death, that we might truly LIVE with, by, and for Thee. Give us to be those who, regardless of circumstance or experience in life, truly rejoice in Thee, ever delighting ourselves in the beauty of Your holiness, and the wonder of Thy eternal love. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad