Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice

Philippians 4:1-4    

Because this earth is not the believers’ home, we are to set our affection on heavenly things, not earthly things. Yet sometimes we allow our circumstances to become a distraction, taking our focus off heavenly things. In verse one Apostle Paul epitomizes the spirit of love for God and man. Even though he is imprisoned, he doesn’t drown himself in self-pity; he is concerned for his fellow Philippian brothers, his joy and crown, whom he loves and longs to see. He writes them, exhorting them to stand fast in the Lord. That same command applies to us still today. We must hold on to our faith in Him. No matter how dire our circumstances may be, we can’t afford to give up on Him because with Him all things are possible; without Him we will surely fail. The Gospel great, Yolanda Adams sings “The Battle Is the Lord’s.” Because the battle is His, we must continue to stand fast in the Him; He’s fighting every step of the way for us as long as we live in this fallen world and obediently surrender to His will. Isaiah 40:29, (NIV) states, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” When we are in a season of suffering, Satan attacks us, planting seeds of doubt about who we are and whose we are; however, we can’t give up; it’s just a test.  

At Philippi two church sisters were having relationship issues. Scripture says that God does not show favoritism, and we must not think more highly of ourselves than others because we all have faults. Paul pleads with them to be of the same mind in the Lord (v. 2) for unity brings a spirit of joy and love in the body of Christ. Believers will have disagreements, but we must humble ourselves, put our squabbling aside and forgive one another. Our ultimate example of forgiveness is Jesus. He was crucified at Calvary, and one of his last words was “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24).  

Paul emphatically commands the church to always rejoice in the Lord. Regardless of our circumstances, we are to always express our joy found through Christ. In recounting all God has done in our lives, we realize how blessed we are. We may not have riches according to man’s standards, but if we have been so blessed, rejoice in the Lord for the earth is His and all that’s in it. Let us not focus on what we don’t have; focus instead on what we have been blessed to have. We are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, paraphrased). Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.