Rejoice in the Lord Always!
1. Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. (Vv. 4-5)
Paul picks up again the theme of joy and rejoicing. He commanded the Philippians in 2:18 to be glad and rejoice with him. Then again in 3:1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.” And now here he returns to this theme with a strong: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
Rejoice at all times and in all circumstances, no exceptions, no loopholes. How can we do that? How can we experience joy and rejoice when we are suffering, in pain, hurting? How can we rejoice when a loved one is sick or died? How can I rejoice when my world is falling apart around me. My animals are dying because of drought or illness, my business is failing, my dreams lie in shatters, broken? How can we rejoice when we are persecuted because of righteousness; when people persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against us because of Jesus? How can I rejoice when I stare death in the face?
Joy and continuous rejoicing is the distinguishing mark of Christians, Rom 12:12 — “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” It is a characteristic of God’s kingdom, Rom 14:17 — “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). Even in times of suffering and trial we rejoice. James 1:2: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
Such joy and rejoicing are the basic and constant orientation of the Christian life. It is the fruit and evidence of our relationship with the Lord. It comes from what the Lord has done in the past, from what He is doing now, and from the hope of what He will do in the future. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet 1:8-9).
We rejoice always and in all circumstances because we find our joy in the Lord. He is is the source, the basis, the reason, and the occasion of our joy. Our joy is not dependent on and does not come from our circumstances or feelings. Circumstances and feelings change but this joy is grounded in the Lord who never changes. We rejoice in the Lord because of who He is and what He has done. We rejoice because the Lord is near. He is with us always and he is coming back soon.
There is safety for all believers in the joy of the Lord. It serves as a safeguard against the dangers and temptations of this world. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10). “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab 3:18-19). When we rejoice in the Lord always we will stand firm. We receive “the peace of God” (v7) and the “God of peace” (v9) is with us. “When we persistently rejoice, we become open to God and open to what he can do in our lives” (Ogilvie).
Thus, rejoicing in the Lord is a spiritual discipline, not an emotion based on circumstances. The discipline of choosing joy centers on where we place our focus. Problems and disappointments, pain and suffering, become overwhelming and easily expand to fill our hearts and minds. But when we rejoice in the Lord we focus on Jesus Christ and not on ourselves, our feelings, or our circumstances. The things of this world pale in comparison to our Lord, his kingdom, and the new life we have in him.
“When the fullness of the character of God forms the foundation of my life and becomes the background of my days, I experience the events and moments of my life differently. By placing each problem or disappointment in the context of who God is, I find they take their proper shape. Personnel problems are hemmed in by his grace and wisdom, and financial concerns by his boundless provision. Even my grief shifts when it meets the comfort of One acquainted with grief.” (Loving Jesus More, Missio Nexus)
Another author said it like this: “When joy is colored sad, it’s because in the midst of sadness it comprehends something greater. When joy is mixed with fear, it’s because it smells victory in the offing. When joy’s heart breaks, it’s because joy feels free and safe enough to embrace everything, even the feeling of falling to pieces.” (Mike Mason)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). How do we rejoice in the Lord always? Paul’s next commands tell us how. Rejoicing we make our gentleness known to all peoples. Rejoicing, we do not worry but pray to God with thanksgiving.
2. Rejoicing We Show Our Gentleness to All Peoples
Rejoicing we make our gentleness known to all peoples. This is the gentleness that comes from the character of Christ, the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Cor 10:1). Jesus said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt 11:29). We see the gentleness of Christ in Philippians 2. He did not grasp, held on to his own rights but in humility gave it all up to become human to save us. Explaining how the kingdom life looks like Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth … Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:5,7).
We rejoice because we live in grace, and rejoicing we live out grace to others. The fruit, the outward expression of a rejoicing heart is Christlike gentleness toward all people — all people, no exceptions, no exclusions. Our gentleness brings a special quality to our relationships.
In these times like never before, we should let our gentleness shine like a beacon, a light in the world. Like Jesus, we must go out, reach out to the sinners, the lost, the hurting. Eat with them, build relationships with them, make friends with them. Practice hospitality to everyone. Love them. Show compassion and consideration for others. Let us build bridges, work for reconciliation, and make peace. Christlike gentleness prevents us from being too preoccupied with our own interests and to look out to the interests of others. Gentleness involves also the patient bearing of abuse and persecution while we pray for, forgive, and bless those who persecute us.
By rejoicing and displaying gentleness toward all people we show them the gospel’s power, the love of Jesus Christ that transforms lives, reconciles, and brings peace. Within the church, this gentleness, graciousness, and reasonableness will prevent and moderate conflicts and divisions. It seeks and makes peace. And in the surrounding world, this gentleness enables us to live a life of winsome influence on our unbelieving neighbors, drawing and inviting them to Christ. “A rejoicing spirit is a gentle spirit and healing balm to the church and world.” The Lord is near and because he is near we rejoice. His nearness produces gentleness in us that is evident to all. And because He is near we are not anxious about anything. And so …
3. Rejoicing We Do Not Worry But Pray with Thanksgiving
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Vv. 6-7)
Life today is characterized by anxiety, especially when we focus on and chase after the things of this world, when we try to gather up treasures on earth. These are unending causes of anxiety. How will we achieve it and once we have it, how will keep it because we fear losing it? Worry and anxiety distract our hearts and minds from the Lord, from keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Paul echos the commands of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. There Jesus identified worry as simply pagan (v32). Three times Jesus forbade worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life” (v. 25). “So do not be anxious” (v. 31). “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow” (v. 34). And now Paul cuts to the chase, “Stop worrying about anything!”
Do not worry about anything — anything. Instead of worrying, in everything, in all things, in every situation and every circumstance, we pray to God. We pray and commit whatever we do, all our plans to the Lord (Prov 16:3). We pray on all occasions. We pray for all people, including the leaders, rulers, and those in authority, including our enemies and those who persecute us. Prayers with thanksgiving counter worry and anxiety. “The way to be anxious about nothing is to be prayerful about everything.”
When we bring our requests to God in prayer, we are declaring our absolute dependence upon him. When we lay our troubles before Him, when we cast all our anxieties upon him, we do so because we know that He cares for us (1 Pet 5:7). Our prayers express our belief, trust, and expectation that He gives generously to all without finding fault, and He will answer our prayers (Jam 1:5).
We pray with thanksgiving. At the root of our prayers is the thanksgiving for what God has done for us in Christ. Thanksgiving must be an integral and regular part of our lives and prayers. Every activity, every deed, every word, must be filled with thanksgiving. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). And also, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). There is always something to give thanks for because we experience daily God’s provisions, protections, love, and grace in our lives. By offering our prayers with thanksgiving we show that we are prepared to surrender ourselves to God’s will whatever the circumstances.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. This is the same peace that Christ embodies and gives us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). As ‘the Lord of peace’ He gives peace to believers (2 Thes. 3:16). Christ himself is our peace. He made peace. He reconciled us to God, ourselves, and others. We are in Christ, and Christ in us. And within this relationship, fellowship with our Lord, God’s peace protects us and guards us against the influences and temptations of this world.
This peace transcends, surpasses, all human understanding. It is more valuable, more excellent, better, and stronger than our minds. His peace accomplishes more than our human thinking or planning can achieve. It is far better and exceeds anything we can think, imagine, or ask. This peace, God’s own peace, guards, protects our hearts and minds, our whole being, body and soul, our whole life, in Christ Jesus. We do not worry. We are not afraid. This is the mystery and the wonder of this deep-seated joy we have in Christ. What are you afraid of, worrying about? Rejoice and bring that to the Lord through prayers with thanksgiving, anything, everything, and rejoice.
So, in this world and in this life God’s Word commands us to rejoice in the Lord always. No exceptions. No muted or halfhearted praise. Because of what Christ has done, “we may rejoice, we will rejoice, we must rejoice, for we rejoice in the Lord … always” (Carson). Jesus Christ is closer than our breath, and he is returning soon! Think of it and rejoice! Think of it and be gentle! The Lord is near, think of it and don’t worry! Think of it and pray with thanksgiving. I say it again, Rejoice in the Lord always.