Rejoice in the Lord

.

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 3:1

Finally,  my brethren,   rejoice  in the Lord.     To write the same things again  is no trouble  to me,  and it is a safeguard  for you.

As we face each day’s challenges,  it is vital  that we always “rejoice  in the Lord.”      That means that no matter how badly  things are going,  God’s love  will guide us  through it  as we look to Him  for all our needs  with a trusting joy  in our hearts.

So,  instead of falling  into the trap  of grumbling,  getting bitter,  and not loving  and trusting  in our Savior — we remember God’s love  for us  in Christ Jesus,  and rejoice  that that very love is  with us right now.     It is because  of God’s fatherly love  for us  that we can trust Him  to strengthen us  to live according to His word,  and cause all things  to work  for our good  in the end.

As Paul  and other writers  throughout the Bible  constantly remind people  to “rejoice in the Lord”,  they are safeguarding us  in the truths  of God’s almighty love  and power  to save.      We should not  lightly dismiss this safeguard.     It is essential  to our faith.

If we choose  to grumble  and stop trusting  in the Lord,  we are,  in essence,  saying that God does not really love us  or care  for us.     That would be a lie.     Nothing is further  from the truth.     Jesus’ suffering and death  on the cross  prove the greatness  of God’s love  for us.     Choosing to remain bitter  about our circumstances shows  that we don’t understand  what Jesus has done  for us.

Just one biblical example  of having the right attitude  towards God’s love  can be found  in Acts 16:19-34.     It tells about  how Paul and Silas  had been thrown  into jail  and their feet locked  in the stocks.     Instead of being all depressed  about the punishment  threatening them,  they sang hymns  of praise  to God.     God caused an earthquake  that broke loose  their chains  and opened  the prison doors.     The jailer  and many others  were saved  that night because of the joyful witness  Paul and Silas gave  that night  as they trusted the Lord.

Our situation  is assuredly very different  from Paul and Silas’ experience.    But,  we have our own kinds  of problems  that we need  to trust God in.    Our problems  might be extremely weighty  and depressing.     We have no clue  what will happen to us.     We dread the worst  of the worst.

In all this,  God can be trusted  because of His love  for us.     So,  we are to rejoice  as we trust  our heavenly Father  and sing His praises.     Our rejoicing  and love  for God’s ways  are a witness  to those around us.     And,  God will bring about  whatever is best for us  in that circumstance  to cause us  to know His love  and want  to continue living  according to that love.

As we rejoice  and trust God,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  Your love  and power  are eternal.     Thank You  for loving each of us.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

.