Thursday August 13/The Proper Time and Frequency for Rejoicing
Philippians 4:4
When is it proper to rejoice? We celebrate special events and when good things, in our opinions, occur. The theme for our study through Paul’s letter to the Philippians is “Always Rejoicing.” This is the answer to when the proper time and what the frequency is for rejoicing – always!
Last year more than 164 million prescriptions were written in the United States alone for antidepressant drugs. In 2005, the latest year that statistics are available, 27 million Americans were on antidepressant drugs. These poor folks may be looking for joy, but only have depression! We need to reverse this trend! Nehemiah 8:10 states, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This is the key!
We can fully understand how those who don’t know Christ feel overwhelmed and helpless in this world. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16) and is able to enable folks to “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26). There is hope!
To rejoice is the New Testament way of saying to delight in the things of God. We are to delight ourselves in the Lord (Psa. 37:4, 11; Isa. 58:14), in His will (Psa. 40:8), and in His Word (Psa. 119:24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 174). We’re to be in an attitude of rejoicing at all times, having the joy of the Lord Jesus no matter what the circumstances. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:” (1 Peter 1:6). The shortest verse in the Greek New Testament is I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice evermore.” Now is the time, and always is the frequency for the child of God to rejoice.
Where is your joy index at today?
Thank the Lord today that you can rejoice in Him, delighting yourself in the things of God, no matter what the circumstances may be.
