Have you learned to rejoice in
everything?
The Bible says, “Rejoice
always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). A couple of verses
later it says, “. . . in everything give thanks; for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (v. 18).
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice”
(Philippians 4:4).
Sometimes it is not easy to
rejoice or to give praise to the Lord, but that does
not change the command.
“It is God’s will that we find
joy in prayer in Christ Jesus in every condition of
life,” writes A. T. Robertson.
There are no circumstances in the Christian's life
where he cannot give thanks. God works everything
together for good for those who love Him (Rom.
8:28).
“Rejoice . . . pray . . . give
thanks” is God’s will for every believer in every
situation.
Nehemiah knew “the joy of the
Lord is your strength” when he saw his workers
weeping as they listened to the law read to them
(Neh. 8:10).
The apostle Paul writing from
prison in Rome said, “Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). “Rejoice”
is in the present, active imperative as in 3:1 when
Paul said, “rejoice in the Lord.” Paul repeats it in
4:4 for emphasis.
Paul did not tell his readers
to “be happy,” but “rejoice in the Lord.” We are to
“Rejoice in the Lord,” not our circumstances. Our
rejoicing is to take place in Christ. We are to
delight in Him. The apostle Paul had inner joy when
his external circumstances did not look very
promising.
What for you is the most
difficult time or situation for you to rejoice? Do
you find it difficult to “rejoice in the Lord
always” when your good name and reputation have been
smeared? Do you find it overwhelming to “rejoice in
the Lord” when you are under the weight of
despondency or depression? Is it hard to “rejoice in
the Lord” when you are slandered for the sake of
Christ? Illness, sickness of a child, aging parents,
and bankrupts are times to “rejoice in the Lord.”
There is no limit to the exhortation to “rejoice in
the Lord.” Indeed, as one beloved pastor said,
“Through fire and through water, through life and
through death, rejoice evermore.’”
Whatever happens rejoice. That
is an attitude. If you are a believer in Jesus
Christ everything that really matters in this life
and the next is yours in Christ. If you trust in
Jesus Christ the whole covenant of grace is yours
with all of its infinite inheritance. You have a
right to everything that grace provides as a
coinheritor with Christ.
“Rejoice in the Lord” is
something every Christian can do regardless of the
chances, changes and circumstances that come in your
life.
Is your hope fixed on Jesus
Christ? Rejoice in Him! Are you a partaker of the
life that is in Him? Rejoice in Christ! Have you
been begotten to a lively hope by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him!
The Psalmist said, “Delight
yourself also in the Lord.” Have you been reconciled
to God through Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him! Do you
know the electing grace of the Father that has given
you eternal life? Rejoice in the Lord! Have you
experienced the forgiveness of all your sins?
Rejoice in Christ! Has the Holy Spirit spread abroad
in your heart the love of God? Rejoice in Him! Do
you delight in knowing you have been saved by grace
through faith in Christ? Break forth with rejoicing
with all your heart and soul! Do you delight in
knowing Jesus Christ died as your substitute on the
cross? Rejoice in the Lord!
If you have been saved the Holy
Spirit has taken up permanent residence in you.
Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in His dwelling in you,
quickening you, comforting you, and the illuminating
His Word. Rejoice in Him! Is He abiding in your
forever? Rejoice and be glad!
And there are many, many more
great and mighty things God has done in Christ that
should make you rejoice and keep on rejoicing. His
covenant of grace, redeeming blood, divine
sovereignty, effectual call to salvation,
justification, sanctification, glorification, final
perseverance, vital union, etc., etc. Rejoice
forevermore!
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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