Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Being a child of the ’80s generation, I fondly remember many things about my childhood. I remember growing up in a church that had an AWANA program and We Sing Bible songs. I can almost taste the fruit punch Kool-Aid and butter cookies as I write this. Many of those early core church memories have brought Biblical truths I have carried with me throughout my life. Whether it was a Sunday School song or a memory of a game introduced to learn scripture, I know those foundational principles helped me to become a stronger believer.
The other morning, as I was reading the book of Philippians, I came to the fourth chapter and the fourth verse. In that verse, it says this: “Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again:Rejoice!” Instantly, my mind went back to the Wee Sing Bible song in my head, and I began to sing “Rejoice in the Lord always again I say Rejoice. Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say Rejoice!” It made me smile as I was transported to a Sunday School class in my memory bank. Though that had been a truth embedded into my mind many years ago, it was a great scriptural reminder of how God’s Word does not return void.
Singing about rejoicing in the LORD is wonderful, but I realize that we must have a deeper understanding of what that word means and how it must be walked out. Paul wrote the letter of Philippians to the Church at Philippi to encourage and remind them of some deeper truths in following Jesus Christ. In these chapters, Paul calls the people to imitate Jesus’s way of life so that even in their suffering, they can find contentment and purpose through Christ’s example. This is a great way to approach our understanding of how we should see this passage. If we think about imitating Jesus, we can gain insight into having contentment and peace despite our circumstances. When we do this, we begin to take the focus off of the trouble, and we look to the One who can solve our troubles!
As we endure many hardships in this life, our focus should never be on the problem. When we do this, we begin to fall into the trap of negativity and worry that will ultimately rob us of our joy. When we turn our attention to the LORD and His great love for us, it reinforces our trust that He cares for us and wants to help us navigate through the troubles of life.
- Rejoicing in Him is simply trusting that He is in control –Colossians 1:15-17: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
- Rejoice in the fact that He loves you and already demonstrated that by dying on your behalf –Romans 5:8-11: 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
- Rejoice because He is not finished with you yet – Philippians 1:6: 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
This is how you rejoice in Him! Say God’s Word out loud; speak His truth over the worry and over your anxious thoughts. Sing songs of praise that turn the lament in your mind to praise in your heart. As you begin to practice this, your heart will begin to change. Your strength does not come from yourself, but only from the LORD and His great power. As you rejoice in His great work, He will be faithful to keep His promises to us! He is good, and His kindness and mercy never fail.
Yes and Amen!
Amanda Patterson
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#amandapattersonblogs