Rejoice In The Lord!

REJOICE IN THE LORD!

Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

“How can I?” You may ask. “Do you have any idea what I am experiencing right now?” Rejoice In The Lord! “But how can I rejoice in the Lord, in the midst of my pain and suffering?”

Paul’s instruction to the church at Philippi is applicable to each of us today. When you know that God is with you, when you know that God has your back, when you know that He is walking with you in the fire, when you know that he will never leave you nor forsake you, when you know that He is a faithful friend, when you know that He is your personal friend, you can rejoice in the Lord! The conflict and the struggle take on a different feel when you realize that the fight is not a carnal one, but a spiritual. In the midst of your struggle, you must be transformed into the image of God’s Son, Jesus, in order to bear up under the pain. Imagine the three Hebrew boys; Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego. In the physical and in the natural, they would not have been able to endure the fire, into which they were thrown. They had to look beyond themselves and see their Saviour. They had to come to the knowledge that their earthly tormentors had no real power over them; to fear them was to lose the battle. But as they looked to the hills from whence came their help, they were able to prance in the midst of the burning fire. Even when the fire was made hotter, their resolve to honour their Maker increased and He in turn honoured them, by showing up in the fire and being visible. These boys rejoiced in the Lord!

As God builds you in your time of adversity; as He molds you; as He transforms you, you must show forth His glory to all men. Your gentleness and graciousness must be evident. You have no need to be angry, you have no need to be upset, you have no need to fear, you have no need to worry; you have no need to doubt; “the Lord is at hand” He is right there with you. He is helping you; He is protecting you; He is delivering you; He is honouring you! Go through your time of adversity knowing that you are blessed. It is a blessing to suffer with Him and for Him. You will be tempted to lash out at those whom you perceive to be your tormentors or attacker; but do not yield to the temptation. This is a spiritual warfare and it is all about your growth, your transformation; your conversion. You are therefore obligated to be gentle, gracious and courageous. Colossians 4:6 says it this way: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Rejoice in the Lord!

Then you can experience God’s peace. There is none like it! As you walk as God directs you, you walk in confidence, knowing that no matter how the situation looks, He is working it all out for your good. No matter how it appears, God is in control and you have His peace. Joseph’s brothers took a bloodied coat to their father with the report that Joseph was dead and it appeared to be so because they had what seemed to be evidence. Potiphar’s wife had Joseph’s coat in her hand when she complained that he tried to seduce her. He ended up in prison because of the evidence. Ultimately, he was vindicated as his dreams became reality.

What God has done for others He will do for you; REJOICE IN THE LORD!