Lately, I’ve been pondering this phrase in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” What strikes me about it is the Apostle Paul wrote this from a dingy Roman prison cell. It is even more remarkable that this entire writing is known as the “Letter of Joy”. From that prison, Paul writes about joy, gratitude, and rejoicing in the Lord. This tells us that Christ was working in and through Paul to show him and those he loved how to experience joy in the midst of difficulty.
Are you going through difficulty in your own life today? Many who read this blog each week are experiencing challenging times. Others have calm waters during this season of life. In either case, understanding what it means to rejoice in the Lord can be a great blessing.
To rejoice in the Lord means to look to Him and to rejoice for all He is in your life and what He has done to you and for you. What does that look like practically? I think it is prayers similar to these:
Father, I rejoice in Christ that He is my life, not my job, ministry, family, health, etc. (Colossians 3:4).
Father, I am grateful that nothing and no one can separate me from your love for me which is in Christ (Romans 8:38-39).
Father, I rejoice that because of my identity in Christ, I am your forever child which reminds me of how much you love me (1 John 3:1).
Father, I thank you that in Christ I am righteous, holy, and blameless (Roman 5:19; Ephesians 1:4).
Father, I am grateful for the blue skies and clouds that You made for my enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
Father, I thank you that your love is better than anything or anyone else in my life (Psalm 63:1).
Father, I am grateful for ____________ . Name at least one thing that you really appreciated this week (Philippians 4:8).
Dear God, I rejoice that you are the Creator of all things and that I exist because You wanted me here (Genesis 1 and 2).
Father, I thank you that I am already forgiven before I ever sin and that you do not hold my sins against me (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 8:12).
Father, I worship You, for You are worthy. All blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving honor and power and strength belong to You, our God, forever and ever (Revelation 7:12)!
These are simply a few ways we can rejoice in the Lord. There are many more. I encourage you to rejoice in the Lord in your own life this week!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
Live Free in Christ!
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
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