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Rejoice and Keep Rejoicing

Day 286

Reading: Philippians 1:1 - Philippians 4:23

I am yet to meet a person without any trouble here on earth. This year has taught me a lot. I have seen both mountain tops and valleys that I didn't know existed. We all have our share of stories of trials and testimonies. In my listening to many stories of the woes of many, I have sought the heart of God regarding a simple matter. What attitude does God expect of us His children in the midst of warfare? 

Paul's letter to the Philippians was written while he was under armed guard. He was a prisoner facing the prospect of being sentenced to death. Paul consistently encourages the believers to rejoice. In my Bible, and I use the NKJV version, the word rejoice is used by Paul 8 times in this letter to the Philippians. 

You are to rejoice because you have hope in Christ. Irrespective of the challenges of life you are facing, don't despair that your case is hopeless. You have something that only Christ can give: Hope. Paul had made a choice and nothing would move him from that choice. It was a choice to rejoice. In that prison cell Paul sat in he could either mourn or rejoice. He chose to rejoice because he knew that God was faithful to complete what He had begun. 

Rejoicing is a choice every believer needs to maintain in the midst of adversity. Paul chose to rejoice that the gospel was being preached even though the motives of some were selfish. His joy was the gospel was being proclaimed. I see many people complaining about how the gospel is preached. Reading this letter encouraged me that this issue is not new. It's been ongoing and has not caught God by surprise. 

Rejoicing is from the heart. To open your mouth and give praise to God while your heart is complaining or grumbling is hypocrisy. Rejoicing requires we adjust our hearts to a place of total trust in God. May I urge you that no matter what you are facing to "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4"

Memory Verse: Philippians 3:12-14

Decree: 

Philippians 4:6-7

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.(italics mine)
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