June 30
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:4-7.
Sometimes when people talk about Christians, they insist that Christians must be considered as being exceedingly sad. Some always picture Christians with frowns on their faces. They think of Christianity as being a religion that does not permit people to enjoy life. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” The apostle is not whispering with a weak voice, telling Christians, “Be happy.” It is an exuberant call, “Rejoice! And again I say, ‘Rejoice!’” We rejoice in the Lord. We rejoice in the message of the Gospel.
The Gospel message was one of joy from the beginning. When the angel appeared to the shepherds on the fields of Bethlehem, his first words were, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people,” Luke 2:10. Then the angel gave the reason for rejoicing. He proclaimed the fear-removing message of joy: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,” Luke 2:11. The angel announced the fulfillment of the words of the prophets. Isaiah wrote, “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6.
Christians are called upon to demonstrate their joy with their gentleness in dealing with others. Christians are loving and gentle, realizing that thereby they are attracting the attention of others, whom they also invite to rejoice. We have every reason to rejoice, because, “The Lord is at hand.” We know and trust our God and Savior, who is always near at hand. Remember the promise of Jesus to His disciples and followers: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” Matthew 28:20. That promise gives us reasons for rejoicing.
Put away your anxieties and worries, and through prayer place everything into God’s hands. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Get on your knees and joyfully pray and thank God for everything that He has done, everything He is doing now, and everything He will do for you in the future.
Then the peace of God, which is beyond your understanding and comprehension, will strengthen your faith in Christ Jesus, who is God’s Son and your only Savior from sin, death, and hell. What a reason for rejoicing!
“Rejoice, my heart, be glad and sing,
A cheerful trust maintain;
For God, the Source of ev’rything,
Thy Portion shall remain.
He knows how oft a Christian weeps,
And why his tears now fall;
And in the book His mercy keeps,
These things are noted all.
His wisdom never plans in vain,
Ne’er falters or mistakes;
All that His counsels did ordain,
A happy ending makes.” Amen.