All
of us are tempted at times to be discouraged and distressed by the circumstances
of our lives. Twenty-four hour news and the ability to witness tragedy,
violence, and loss around the world can quickly rob us of our peace and a
feeling of security. The day to day struggle to pay bills, finish tasks,
maintain relationships, and satisfy commitments can also frustrate and even
depress our emotions.
In
the midst of earthly and inner turmoil, the apostle Paul commands, “Rejoice in
the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Php. 4:4) But how can we rejoice
when so many things are bad? How can we celebrate when the circumstances of our
life are not good? If we are to take this passage seriously and honor what it
says, we need to bear in mind three things.
First, the instruction is a command, not
a suggestion.
God’s people are to be governed, not by how they feel, but by what the Lord has
said. We cannot excuse our failure to rejoice in the Lord by saying we do not
feel like doing so. There are no degrees of compliance with this passage. We
either obey what it says or we do not.
Second, rejoice is a verb of action, not feeling. Paul does not
say feel happy; he says rejoice. I can celebrate the great truths that lie
behind his instruction regardless of how I feel. Even when I am sad, distressed,
or suffering in great pain, I can choose to rejoice.
Third, the command is to rejoice in the Lord, not in the temporal
circumstances of our lives. Most often we rejoice in all the wrong things: our
health, our happiness, our family, our success, our pleasures. But if these are
the reason for our rejoicing, joy will frequently elude us. We will not always
be healthy or happy, but who God is, what Christ has done, and what He has
promised is unchanging. The Lord’s work and worth will never fail. It does not
depend on what is happening in my life. I am instructed to find my joy in
eternal truths, not earthly circumstances.
“Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Remind yourself of the gospel
every day. Never forget who is in control and what He has done to save you.
Celebrate that truth forever. -JME
