Philippians 3:1
“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.”
Rejoice in the Lord. What a great charge. The world doesn’t understand. I didn’t as a young believer. Why are we to rejoice? The reason is a great God and the good news. God is love. To His children He abounds in lovingkindness and favor.
Another reason He is great is because He is able. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to the One being able to do exceedingly above all things that we ask or think, according to the power working in us.” He is all knowing, all understanding and all powerful. He wants to be active in our lives. He wants to lead us. That is an incredible invitation by the great one. For that we rejoice.
We will bump into difficulties, but that’s part of His plan. He promises to work it out for the good. Rejoicing demonstrates we believe His leadership. I can look back and be so grateful. I am grateful for my present state. I am grateful for what He will do. That is much to be grateful for.
Another huge reason to rejoice is because of what Jesus has done and what it means. He died and paid the debt or our sins. This gives us access to God and keeps that access. Heaven is promised for all eternity. This is truly good news. It is much reason to rejoice.
It is enough to be joyful forever. Unfortunately we are short sighted and will let circumstances get us down. It’s as if the fog has come in and we can only see our difficulties. He gives us faith and His Word to encourage us. We are to believe beyond our senses or contrary to them. Faith sees above the fog. As the jet can rise above the clouds and have the God view.
2 Kings 6:17 has Elisha and his servant surrounded by an army who seek to capture them. ‘Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’ The eyes of faith trust God even though we don’t see. More reason to rejoice.
We trust Him on the mountains, we trust Him in the valleys, we trust Him in the present we trust Him for the future. So we rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” We have a loving God who is in control. We can rejoice. We can do it always.
Rejoicing implies a full heart. That’s the idea. Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” Our hearts overflow. Thank You, Lord. If we are in Christ, in His Word, in fellowship and serving Him our hearts overflow. It’s not that we are ahead of the class christians. We’re average. It’s God who is great and makes it simple.
Lord, help us to rejoice more. We certainly have reason to do so. Help us to rise above and rejoice.