"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4:4 NASB)
As I was scrolling through some old posts, I came across this one from 2016. I've been thinking about it. Pondering it. It's a very timely verse for all seasons of life. Especially for me, and especially at this season of the year. You see, I originally posted this on November 15, 2016. One day before I had a stroke. One day before! I'm sharing this post with you again in its entirety, just as I wrote it 3 years ago.
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 when your candidate wins the election.
Rejoice when your candidate loses the election.
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 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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