Rejoice in the Lord Always: Philippians 4:4-5
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
Paul returns again to his theme of joy and rejoicing. The timing for joy and rejoicing is “always.” That doesn’t leave room for grumbling, complaining or self pity parties. Rejoicing focuses of the Lord. Grumbling and complaining focuses on self.
To be clear, verse 4 is a command and not a suggestion. We are to rejoice in the Lord always. This spiritual discipline will take time to incorporate into your daily life, but it will transform your attitude and your outlook.
According to the first part of verse 5; it will result in a gentle spirit, peaceful or tranquil spirit. Rejoicing always is the biblical treatment for stress, anxiety and fear. No pharmacy can match the healing power of the discipline of rejoicing in the Lord.
But the big question is “Why?” What is the reason or basis for rejoicing? Without a logical reason for rejoicing the whole concept sounds ingenuous.
The last phrase in verse 5 identifies the reason. Paul based rejoicing on the fact that the “Lord is near” or “at hand.” Rejoicing acknowledges and focuses on the presence of God!
Think about this; God is absolutely present both in terms of time and space! Both can be used to measure distance.
For example, if you were waiting for me to arrive at an appointment, I could text you and say; “I am five minutes away.” I just used time to express distance. Or I could say; “I am five miles away.” I just used space to express distance.
Let’s now use these measurements to establish the ever present nature of God. At any moment, how far away is God? Is He five minutes away? Is He five miles away?
You chuckle and say; “God is omnipresent. That means He is absolutely present both in terms of time and space.”
Bingo! You just discovered the reason Paul said we should rejoice always; “the Lord is at hand!” Rejoicing both acknowledges and celebrates the absolute presence of God in your life and circumstances. It leaves no room worry, stress, fear or anxiety. Rejoicing focuses on God!
Let me sight a quick biblical example. In Acts 16:16-24, Paul and Silas had a bad day. They were beaten in public and thrown in jail with their feet in stocks. That’s not conductive of a positive attitude or a good night of sleep.
But look at verse 25; “ And about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” What happened next was miraculous. An earthquake shook the prison and all chains fell off and every door was opened. Even the jail keeper trusted in Jesus for salvation.
But there is more to the story, this is what started the church in Philippi. Paul practiced what he preached. I guarantee the recipients of Philippians 4:4-5 understood the power and value of “rejoicing always.”
So, how are these two verses going to impact your life? Are you ready to live and walk in the presence of God? If so, then you better learn the secret of rejoicing in the Lord always! This spiritual discipline can radically change your life!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounded of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
Paul returns again to his theme of joy and rejoicing. The timing for joy and rejoicing is “always.” That doesn’t leave room for grumbling, complaining or self pity parties. Rejoicing focuses of the Lord. Grumbling and complaining focuses on self.
To be clear, verse 4 is a command and not a suggestion. We are to rejoice in the Lord always. This spiritual discipline will take time to incorporate into your daily life, but it will transform your attitude and your outlook.
According to the first part of verse 5; it will result in a gentle spirit, peaceful or tranquil spirit. Rejoicing always is the biblical treatment for stress, anxiety and fear. No pharmacy can match the healing power of the discipline of rejoicing in the Lord.
But the big question is “Why?” What is the reason or basis for rejoicing? Without a logical reason for rejoicing the whole concept sounds ingenuous.
The last phrase in verse 5 identifies the reason. Paul based rejoicing on the fact that the “Lord is near” or “at hand.” Rejoicing acknowledges and focuses on the presence of God!
Think about this; God is absolutely present both in terms of time and space! Both can be used to measure distance.
For example, if you were waiting for me to arrive at an appointment, I could text you and say; “I am five minutes away.” I just used time to express distance. Or I could say; “I am five miles away.” I just used space to express distance.
Let’s now use these measurements to establish the ever present nature of God. At any moment, how far away is God? Is He five minutes away? Is He five miles away?
You chuckle and say; “God is omnipresent. That means He is absolutely present both in terms of time and space.”
Bingo! You just discovered the reason Paul said we should rejoice always; “the Lord is at hand!” Rejoicing both acknowledges and celebrates the absolute presence of God in your life and circumstances. It leaves no room worry, stress, fear or anxiety. Rejoicing focuses on God!
Let me sight a quick biblical example. In Acts 16:16-24, Paul and Silas had a bad day. They were beaten in public and thrown in jail with their feet in stocks. That’s not conductive of a positive attitude or a good night of sleep.
But look at verse 25; “ And about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” What happened next was miraculous. An earthquake shook the prison and all chains fell off and every door was opened. Even the jail keeper trusted in Jesus for salvation.
But there is more to the story, this is what started the church in Philippi. Paul practiced what he preached. I guarantee the recipients of Philippians 4:4-5 understood the power and value of “rejoicing always.”
So, how are these two verses going to impact your life? Are you ready to live and walk in the presence of God? If so, then you better learn the secret of rejoicing in the Lord always! This spiritual discipline can radically change your life!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounded of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
