REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS

Phil. 4:4

Morning Meditation 3/24/2014

Verse 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Someone has said, “Joy is more than laughter. Laughter can conceal a sad heart.” Not too long ago one of TV’s star comedians committed suicide. This has happened several times. Those who make others laugh, many times are trying to relieve their own pain. Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” Unsaved people are classified as wicked and any joy or peace they appear to have is temporary and superficial. This is God’s estimation.

Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” The word “Rejoice” translates “chairo” and is defined by Strong, “to rejoice exceedingly.” It is a present active imperative verb. The present tense means to continually do it in the present tense of your life. The active voice is the voice of volition and means it is a choice. We choose the way we are seen of others including our own family. Most of us take great care of our physical appearance and we should. Every once-in-a-while I see someone in public that looks like he just got out of bed after a terrible nights sleep, and I say to myself, “I’m sure glad he remembered to put his pants on! He didn’t do anything else for himself after he got up!” We do chose the way we appear to others. Paul says others need to see you rejoicing all the time. It is in the imperative mood which means it is a command that expresses urgency. Can you command a Christian to “Rejoice in the Lord alway?” Paul did and the Holy Spirit inspired him to do it. I am afraid that our face does not tell the unsaved world that there is anything to be gained by trusting the Lord Jesus. The salvation of souls is an urgent matter. God uses us not only to witness to the unsaved but also to demonstrate that Jesus is the answer to true happiness.

Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” It is “in the Lord” that we are to rejoice. This is the secret of true joy in the Christian life. We read this verse and I think a lot of times we are just impressed with the words “Rejoice . . . alway” and we look around to see what there is to rejoice in. If we are having a tough time financially, we say to ourselves, “I know I’m supposed to rejoice in this, but I just can’t.” I’m sorry you missed it. Someone else is having a real struggle in the home. A wife is married to an abusive and uncaring husband. She is a Christian. She hears the words, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” She meditates on her situation. She feels trapped. Her husband hit her or mistreated her just a little while ago. She knows it will happen again. She says, “I just can’t do it. I cannot rejoice in my situation. It is unreasonable for the Lord to expect me to rejoice in this situation.” You missed it. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” It is IN THE LORD that we are to rejoice, not necessarily in our circumstances.

Paul was in prison when he wrote this epistle. So the very state in which Paul was living when he wrote this proves that it can be done. I have been to Rome. I have seen the hole in the ground where Paul was probably imprisoned. It is a hole in the ground with a metal grate like you find in a sewerage drain. That is the only way in and the only way out and is the only source of light. He says from that place as he writes to the Church at Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” You will notice that the word “alway” is not in italics in your King James Bible. It is there. The word “alway” translates “pantote” and means, “at all times, always, ever.” Remember where “alway” applies, i.e., “IN THE LORD.” It really helps when you see where this rejoicing is to take place. It is not “Rejoice in your circumstances.”

Then Paul adds, “And again I say, Rejoice.” The word “again” translates “palin” and means, “anew, again, the renewal or repetition of the action.” Paul is saying, “Yes, you heard me right. Rejoice in the Lord alway. Rejoice!” These Christians in Philippi love Paul passionately. They supported him financially. They prayed for him.. They were concerned about his state. Here he is in prison in Rome and he is telling them to “Rejoice.” It is tough to say it is impossible to do when the one who is telling you to do it is in prison when he writes. You can’t say, “Well the circumstances have to be right before you can obey this order!” I guess you could say that Paul has lost his mind. But it is hard to say a lunatic wrote the book of Philippians! The words “I say” translate “ereo” and mean, “to utter, speak.” It is a future active indicative verb. The future tense is future tense from the standpoint of the time Paul was writing this epistle. They evidently were not rejoicing. They were probably weeping and very much disturbed over Paul’s imprisonment. This is the reason Paul tells them in the first chapter verse 12: “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” Paul is comforting the Philippians in this verse concerning his imprisonment. This is a new twist on it isn’t it? The second “Rejoice” is exactly the same word and the same tense as the first.

Let me suggest a short list of things that come to my mind when I think of Paul’s words “Rejoice IN THE LORD.” (Caps mine for emphasis).

1.Rejoice in what He has done for us. If we are Christians, he has saved and secured us and tucked us away IN HIMSELF in a place of complete safety. Amen. Glory to God and the Lamb forever.

2.Rejoice in His present ministry. He is our Advocate and Intercessor. He argues our case from the standpoint of His death and resurrection every time Satan comes before God to make an accusation against us. He prays for us continually; 1 John 2:1; Heb. 7:25.

3.Rejoice in His providence. Roy Hession said to me, “The Christian is in a circle that represents the will of God. He said nothing can come into that circle that is not allowed of God. And whatever God allows, He will use to promote our Christian lives and not let it hinder.” Romans 8:28 is true: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This does not mean that everything that happens to us is good. It means that God can use unpleasant things to conform us to the image of His Son and will make us triumph in the end.

4.Rejoice in the souls He continues to save. There is nothing that thrills the Christian more than to see souls saved and transformed by the power of the New Birth. That is a miracle of a new creation every time it takes place.

5.Rejoice in his plan for us. His plan is not temporary. It is eternal. And the next stage of His plan is to come for us. Jesus said to His disciples before He left them, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). That promise still stands and is one in which we can rejoice.

Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.” Let’s make a choice to obey this command. Let’s put a smile on our face and order it to stay there. If it goes AWOL let’s go find it and bring it back.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White