“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” Phil. 4:4.
I don’t know where you are reading this, I don’t know what you may be going through, but I need to encourage you to learn how to rejoice irrespective of your present experience. Our text is quite terse and straight to the point. These are Paul’s closing words to the Philippian Church. You need to bear in mind that at the point of writing this letter, he was imprisoned. He wasn’t saying, “I am in prison and these chains are blessings. I’m so happy about this pain.” I’m convinced Paul prayed daily for his release and at times cried out for strength to endure. Even Jesus, in his hour of trial and pain, cried to the Father, “Why have you forsaken me?” That is our first impulse in our afflictions, yet Paul’s admonition is rejoice.
It’s not easy and comfortable to be joyful in the midst of crisis or life challenges. However, God’s counsel still remains “count it all joy, when you pass through trials and temptations.” He didn’t say joy comes by itself naturally, he says you should count it and determine to be joyful irrespective of the situation. Be determined that God’s word will be validated and fulfilled in your life and through your life. by your reaction to this affliction. Set your mind on obeying God and keeping to his word than obeying and celebrating your predicament.
Are you in a season where you’re saying, “God, nothing in my life seems to work? Everything seems to fall apart, and I’m struggling to rejoice amid all this disappointment” I’m sure when James wrote to count all things as joy, he wasn’t speaking to men of his generation alone but to you and I too. God promised us that he will never leave nor forsake us, allow that to be your constant daily reminder that no matter what you are dealing with, there is always another in the fire with you. That is God almighty. The reality of the gospel of Christ is that you don’t have to do something great and spectacular to become pleasing to God. You only have to trust Him. Your role is to place your life in God’s hands and believe he will care for you. This is a good reason to rejoice irrespective of what you go through.
FURTHER READING:
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” Phil. 3:1.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Rom. 12:12.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for a good day you have made, I declare that I have a sound mind filled with good thoughts, not thoughts of defeat. By faith, I am well able. I am anointed. I am equipped. I am empowered. My thoughts are guided by God’s Word, every day. No obstacle can defeat me because my mind is programmed for victory. Nothing targeted against me can prosper in Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Ezek. 41:1-26. Ezek. 42:1-20. Ezek. 43:1-27. Ezek. 44:1-31.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“Maturity Is More Of Who You Are Than What You Do. Until You Learn to Become You Cannot Do.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 51 Ikorodu Road, Jibowu, Lagos, Nigeria. http://www.thefortresschurch.com. email:info@thefortresschurch.com.
