Even as I go through my feelings of arduous times, I can rejoice. I can rejoice because I know that my redeemer lives. It is the hope I have in the Lord that bestirs me to be glad and to rejoice in Him. What else is there in this life that can allow me to rejoice as the Lord does? It is amazing to know how He willingly loves me enough to have suffered and gone to Calvary for me!
The Apostle Paul was persecuted, flogged, arrested, beaten and so unjustly. When he was thrown into the Philippian jail, what did he do? He and Silas rejoiced, praying and singing hymns of praise unto the Lord. “And, at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God…” Acts 16:25. They rejoiced!
In Acts 5:41 we find the Apostles after the Jewish leaders beat and flogged them for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His Name.”
“Can you do this,” I ask myself? I go back into reflection mode and I “see” situations in my life that I thought were so insurmountable. But, for the grace of God and the joy in my heart I have not lost my love for God and willingness to rejoice! Has it been easy? No, but as long as I live, there is hope and joy within the deepest recesses of my heart!
So to “rejoice always” means we choose to focus on the Lord and the boundless treasures we have in Him and not on our difficult circumstances. This joy will illuminate and even sparkle during our dark hours! “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14-15
We do what we do with joy; quit the complaining and grumbling. How often do I remind myself of this? Quite often!
I remind myself of the spiritual blessings I have in Him. He loves me! In Him I have redemption and I’ve been forgiven. I have been given His grace. He has given me an inheritance! What more could I want?
I remind myself to “walk in the spirit” which means I must yield every day to Him and harder still, rely on Him to control my life in every situation I face! “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22
I remind myself to sing! Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing like the birds without hesitation and I fly with joy in my heart!
We have every reason to be joyful even when we “feel” that we don’t. Just remember all that He has done, is doing and will do for you and me. That’s enough to rejoice and be glad!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Oh, but He is truly wonderful!
ritasalomon 