Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:4-5)
In the midst of everything going on in our culture, have you lost your joy? Are you overwhelmed, anxious, angry, discouraged, depressed?
Paul’s encouragement in Philippians has been a favorite of mine for many years. But now, in the midst of the stress and division of our times, I am reminded again of the need to practice his words.
Remember Paul isn’t writing Philippians from a beach in Maui. He is in prison…suffering for his faith…uncertain of his future…living under the reign of Nero…facing the reality of death.
And he says, “Rejoice!”
How?
First, by focusing on the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord. You have to go back to what you know in Christ. I am created in God’s image. I am His workmanship. I am adopted… blessed… chosen… redeemed. My identity is found in Him. My security is built on Him. My destiny is certain with Him.
Second, by letting your “reasonableness” be known to everyone. This word is one of the hardest to translate in the New Testament. It describes a person who is gentle, gracious, patient, equitable. “It expresses that considerateness that looks humanely and reasonably at the facts of a case” (Vine). It is “sweet reasonableness” (Matthew Henry).
You already have this quality in Christ…you just have to let it rise to the top of your heart, letting it reign over feelings of cynicism, criticism, bitterness, and irritableness.
Third, by remembering that the Lord is near. He is beside you…with you…within you. And He is coming again…to set this world straight…to make all things new. You have a faithful friend… and you have a sure hope… so everything else can be put in perspective.
So, yes, this world is broken… yes, this life is difficult… but in Christ you have permission, motivation, reason, and power… to rejoice!
To choose joy.
To pursue joy.
To find joy.
To share joy.
It’s a better way to think and to live.
So, again, I say rejoice!
