REJOICE. Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice.” The joy of Christians doesn't depend on our comfortable circumstances but on our relationship with the Lord. We will face difficulties and troubled times as long as we are in the world, but we can rejoice even during them because we know God allows and uses these experiences to shape our character into more Christ-like qualities. Suffering isn't something we seek, but we can still rejoice in it if we remember that, at times, we share in the sufferings of Christ.
We can rejoice in difficult circumstances for another reason. We know that Christ is with us in the dark valleys of life. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. When the valley is flooded with waters of fear, opposition, despair, defeat, and discouragement, He does not let them claim us and is with us as we pass through the waters. We can rejoice in the Lord because we know triumph and “victory in Jesus” will surely come.
Our rejoicing in the Lord also stems from our inner attitude toward Him. Attitudes reflect our character and the focus of our hearts and minds. “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Rejoicing in the Lord, or the lack of it, does not have to reflect what is happening to us or around us. We make a choice for joy when we know our Lord Jesus Christ is with us.
If we focus too much on adverse circumstances, we give them more power than they deserve. We need to revisit our lives as citizens of heaven and reflect on our origins and current position. We have the responsibility to control our minds, and as citizens of heaven, we can possess the mind of Christ. Then, we will be able to see the path of life we are on—though it is a narrow way—through sanctified eyes, and we can commit ourselves to being fruitful, satisfied, and joyful, based on who and what we are focusing on.
Joy and holiness go hand in hand. Holiness calls us to a lifestyle that matches that of heaven's citizens, who live on earth as strangers and pilgrims. The joy of the Lord is our strength to serve Him here on earth amid everyday life.
Joy and gladness should burst from my heart like plants grow from the soil of devotion. Rejoicing comes from within us, especially during blessed times when we are aware of God's presence and engaged in what pleases Him. The choice was made for joy when one could have chosen sorrow because of circumstances we didn't like. Because of our love for the Lord and our confidence in Him, there will be a better tomorrow. Gladness looks outward and upward to God, for He is the goal of our lives. Our joy is found in Him; His grace meets every need, and fellowship with Him is bright. Whether it comes from within the heart or from what we observe outside, rejoicing with genuine devotion makes the joy of the Lord dwell in our souls.
I rise from my knees, experiencing peace as I rejoice in the Lord through prayer. When we read the Bible together as a family and openly discuss what we have read and learned, we find joy in each other's thoughts about that passage of scripture. This joy isn’t based on our humanity but on our new nature, which delights in what God delights in. We rejoice in the Lord’s ways of guiding us in our lives as we share the blessings we receive from Him each day. Rejoicing in the Lord is what brings us joy as man and wife.
We come together with anticipation as a gathering of believers, rejoicing in the Lord during our worship and remembrance meetings. We find joy as we hear His Word, whether in casual conversations or during dedicated Bible study time. We strive to keep our joy in the Lord alive when the Gospel is proclaimed, even though often, the message seems to fall on deaf ears. When souls are saved, our joy in the Lord overflows, and we sing, “Oh Happy Day, that fixed my choice, on Thee my Savior and My God."
When we are with fellow laborers in God’s field, working together to gather the ripe harvest, we rejoice in what the Lord is doing and has done. Our gifts and personalities may differ, but we still praise the Lord as those united in one mind and heart. We understand our labor is essential, but our joy in the Lord is the source of true power. Those who observe us will form their opinions of the message we deliver based on the joy they see in us. We keep our eyes on the heavens, waiting for our Lord to come, rejoicing in His promise to return and take us to Himself. We work with our hands, meeting the needs of the stewardship given to us, while delighting in thoughts of going home. We wait with hearts full of anticipation for what is next, rejoicing in the unseen Lord and His promises. When this earthly life is over and we arrive at our eternal home, we will rejoice in the Lord once more.
There are times when help is needed to reconcile two people with differing opinions. A "yokefellow" is someone we have worked with who knows they can handle the matter because of their experience. Shared labor often reveals a person's true attitude and bonds those who share common goals. That inner attitude is not necessarily influenced by external circumstances but shows a consciousness of the Lord's presence in a situation. This awareness helps us rise above the circumstances. Therefore, we must stand firm in the Lord despite the pressures around us. We must stop fighting among God’s people so that the power of unity can be experienced. We must stay focused on the Lord because He is near in every situation and is affected by our attitude toward Him and others.