"Rejoice!"

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 ESV)

We should rejoice in the Lord unendingly. He should be the greatest source of joy in our lives. In Philippians 4, Paul reminds us that the Lord is our treasure. He also reminds us that the Lord’s peace and protection transcend all things. So, I ask you, where is your mind focused? If one focuses on the world, then one's mind is in the world. Yes, easier said than done, but in our rejoicing in the Lord, we are reminded of all the assurances His mercy, grace, and love provide us.

Our rejoicing and our satisfaction in the Lord are the greatest ways to glorify Him. His creation exudes joy because of Him, that is, glorification. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” God’s will is for His creation to see Him as the treasure He truly is.

Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61 contains the passage Jesus read in the synagogue in Nazareth, where He proclaimed His purpose, and His own wanted to throw Him off a cliff because of His words (Luke 4:14-30). We have abundant reasons to rejoice every second of every day because those in Christ are clothed in righteousness through our faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross.

Suppose we focus on our troubles and the problems of the world; that is what guides our day and our attitudes. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Christ has already won the victory. He has removed believers from the power of the world, and while “we live in the world, we do not wage war in it” (2 Corinthians 10:3). This victory is our reason to rejoice every day.

Strengthening your bond with Christ means walking with Him every day, not just when you need help. Rejoice and be thankful each morning that you have another day to serve Him. Rejoice and pray for strength and guidance in resisting the temptations of the world. Love Christ for the treasure that He is, the perfect pearl, the treasure in the field. Give all that you are to Christ so that you truly have satisfaction in Him. No anxiety about work, money, bills, family, all these things God has planned for you. If you are truly in need, know that God provides; He always does.

John Piper believes, as do I, that God is most truly glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. Rejoice in the Lord always!

Grace and Peace!