Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, Rejoice!

Do you believe that God will affect your life in a way that will make you happy?  Whether or not you are happy will be determined by what you are expecting from the Lord.  God has not promised anyone that He will fulfill their wishes in a way that guarantees happiness.

The scriptures command:  “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).  Yes, it is a command.  Regardless of our circumstances (always), you are to rejoice.  How, you wonder. Rejoice in the Lord.  That means we are to find joy in what God has done for us.  Remember that this letter was written to “the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi” (Philippians 1:1).  These are people who have been sanctified in and by the Lord, whose sins are forgiven, who have promise and hope of eternal life, who belong to the Lord and are secure in Him.  They have great and many reasons to rejoice in the Lord.

The joy spoken of in Philippians is a joy that can only belong to those in Christ.  Those in Christ who value what they have received from the Lord can and will rejoice in the Lord always.  Some in the Lord worry too much about this world and this life.  Rejoicing in the Lord does not come easy for them.  However, the greater their focus on and appreciation of the Lord, the easier it is for them  to rejoice.

Turn to the Lord and rejoice in Him always!