"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4:4 NASB)
I came across this very familiar verse a few days ago in my daily Bible reading time, and it hasn't let go of me since. It's a verse I think about often. One I have written about often. One I ponder often. It's a timely verse for all seasons of life.
Rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoice always.
Always. That's a powerful word. An all-encompassing word. A pretty direct word.
Think about it. Ponder exactly what it means.
Rejoice always.
Rejoice when you are sick, and rejoice when you are healthier.
Rejoice when you have cancer, and rejoice when you don't.
I came across this very familiar verse a few days ago in my daily Bible reading time, and it hasn't let go of me since. It's a verse I think about often. One I have written about often. One I ponder often. It's a timely verse for all seasons of life.
Rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoice always.
Always. That's a powerful word. An all-encompassing word. A pretty direct word.
Think about it. Ponder exactly what it means.
Rejoice always.
Rejoice when you are sick, and rejoice when you are healthier.
Rejoice when you have cancer, and rejoice when you don't.
Rejoice when you have had a stroke, and rejoice when you haven't.
Rejoice when everything in your life is going wonderfully well, and rejoice when it isn't.
Rejoice always.
Rejoice.
"For the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)
Rejoicing in the Lord is not about circumstances.
Rejoicing in the Lord is about knowing who the Lord is, knowing His character and His ways.
It's knowing the truth, and placing confidence and trust in that truth.
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6 NASB)
Jesus said, "And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32 NASB)
When we know truth - when we know THE TRUTH - we are set free to rejoice always. In every circumstance.
Because joy doesn't come from circumstances. Joy comes from Jesus.
Circumstances are just circumstances. Stuff happens. Life doesn't always go our way. It isn't always pretty. Or easy. Nor was it ever promised to be.
But, when we remain grounded in the truth of who Jesus is, when we stay centered there, then we can have joy in every circumstance and in every situation. In the good times. In the bad times. And in all the in-between times.
Not silly-smile happiness all the time. But deep down joy, in the core of our being. Because we know truth. Because we know The Truth. Because our joy and our confidence and our strength are in Him.
Pause to ponder that truth today! And rejoice!
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4:4 NASB)
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