Nov 30, 2021 17:20
Phil 4:4 'Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!'
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Philippi, from his Roman house arrest (Acts 28:30-31) as he waited for his court appearance before Caesar.
It wasn't all peaches. There was pending execution. It was uncomfortable, and painful to say the least.
Yet this, in closing his letter, is what he had to say to the believers. He was a doer himself. There was joy in his tone. Paul's joy wasn't founded on a sunny optimism or positive mental attitude or convenience. Rather, it was based on the knowledge that God is a worker who completes His works.
Spurgeon asks, "Where is there an instance of God's beginning any work and leaving it incomplete? Show me for once a world abandoned and thrown aside half formed; show me a universe cast off from the Great Potter's wheel, with the design in outline, the clay half hardened, and the form unshapely from incompleteness." He begins a work, and brings it to completion! There is absolutely no way I am His first stalled project! That truth alone, is enough fuel me to rejoice.
Joyful people have minds so occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. It is the cure for discord and chaos in relationships and families.
The Joy of the Lord!
The Master has made delight to be a duty. He commands us to rejoice!
This is your Assignment!
Discussion
- What have I learnt?
- What am I prepared to do?
