Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say Rejoice.”
Paul was unusual. Here he sat in prison and he was telling other people to “rejoice.” Paul repeats himself in his encouraging words to the Philippians in Philippians 4:4, and says twice, “Rejoice in the Lord.” He stated this also in Philippians 3:1, when he said, “rejoice in the Lord.” There is a reason he repeated these words. When you have contentment, your circumstances do not matter because you realize the LORD’s sovereign will overrules it all, and He is available at all times. Paul’s relationship with the Lord was his source of joy and was unchangeable and unrelated to his circumstances of sitting in a prison cell.
I found this quote from Spurgeon that I thought was right and to the point regarding Philip. 4:4, “People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.” I need to better apply this in my own life.
Paul’s consistent joyful, determined grit attitude and vision was not from looking through rose-colored glasses – optimism and simply having a positive mental attitude. He was confident that God was in control and was always with him. So does that mean when our culture and politics go against God’s standards, we are just to stand by and shrug our shoulders? No, not at all. We must do our due diligence in praying and contacting our governmental officials in fighting against our Christian liberties being restricted. There are instances where we have to take a stand, make it known, pray, and then leave it in God’s plans and control.
I found Jon Courson’s Application Commentary statement very appropriate and something I need to live out and remember when feeling discouraged:
- “I don’t feel good” we groan. Who cares we are not going to hell!
- “I’m not appreciated at work” we cry. Who cares we’re going to heaven!
- “I won the lottery!” we shout. So what? That’s nothing compared to heaven!
The next time I catch myself complaining, which no doubt will be today, I am going to speak to myself these words, “So what? I could be in heaven tomorrow or sometime soon, and I have the reassurance I am not going to hell! My sins were forgiven when I confessed my sins in repentance and called upon Jesus Christ to save me (I remember that time vividly, in my bedroom as a young child and prayed that prayer with my dad kneeling beside me). It says in John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Then in Romans 3:23, it states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As the truths of God’s Word permeates and changes your life, God can use you in a way he can use no one else. Dear friend, God will direct you, comfort you, be your shield of protection, and guide you with his almighty power. He is Jehovah Rohi, the Good Shepherd. Jehovah Shalom, Giver of Peace. He is Jehovah Nissi, Battle Fighter. He is Jehovah Shammah, Present One. He is Jehovah Rophe, The Healer, and my favorite, Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide.
Have a problematic situation beyond your control? The Message says Philippians 4:4 this way, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” Then as Paul said, “Let me repeat, Rejoice in the Lord always.”