Rejoice in the Lord
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 17 Apr 2011 in From Steve's Study ::
Life is not a bed of roses. All of us, at some time or another have experienced the very real pain of living in a fallen world. Whether it’s sickness, job loss, broken relationships, divorce, bereavement, loneliness or any number of other problems that befall us, we know all too well what it is like to suffer in big and little ways.
And yet, in the midst of a world like this, the Bible writers consistently exhort us to Rejoice in the Lord (eg Psalm 32:11; Psalm 64:10; Psalm 97:12; Joel 2:23; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4). But what does this mean? Surely it doesn’t mean that we have to constantly “put a smile on your dial” & blithely ignore the difficulties we are facing.
The Apostle Paul certainly knew what it was to suffer hardship. He experienced beatings, imprisonment, riots, hard work, sleepless nights & hunger (2 Corinthians 6:5) & yet he was still able to rejoice. The things that gave him his assurance and strength were:
- The knowledge that he was loved by God and that nothing could take that love away (Romans 8:38-39)
- The fact that “Christ is preached” (Philippians 1:18)
- The knowledge that a “crown of righteousness” awaits him (2 Timothy 4:8)
Paul’s joy and assurance was not based in experiencing the “good things” in life (wealth, happiness, health, acceptance etc), but on the knowledge that God loved him, that the gospel was going forward and that one day he would be eternally with his Heavenly Father.
It is possible for us to Rejoice even in the midst of bad times, if only we can remember the great goodness of God to us, that he demonstrated through his Son and the incredible hope that comes from being in a relationship with him.
« Jesus the King of My Life He is Risen!»
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