On the surface, the Bible is a weird book, with several strange statements like for example, “rejoice always.” We all know that that is not possible, what with the many challenges we face daily. And yet, not only does the bible encourage us to rejoice at all times, it repeats the instruction, for emphasis. There are other strange instructions in the Bible such as the one to the Thessalonians. It says we should give thanks in all things. What? In all things?
To make it worse, that verse talks about giving thanks being the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Does that mean you cannot claim not to know God’s will for your life after reading that verse? Many times, we are in a tough place and we pray and fast, seeking the will of God concerning that situation. Or we have a bad dream and wake up with a frontal headache, possibly resulting from the nightmare. We forget the instruction to rejoice always. Of course.
It is then we get on our knees and cry out to God. “Father! Oh Father, what does the dream mean and what is your will for me in it?” We forget the rapid-fire instruction in the middle of the fifth chapter of I Thessalonians. When in a hard place, how can you remember that that series of instructions starts with “rejoice always?” Paul had the same instruction in his letter to his much-beloved Philippians. The only difference is that he elaborated by saying they should do so in the Lord.
Only In The Lord Can You Rejoice Always
The question then becomes, “Are you in the Lord?” If you tend to descend into sorrow often, if you tell yourself that you have depression, take a few moments before you answer that small question. Do not be like the one who claims to belong to Jesus and does not behave like Jesus. He puts up his hand in church every time the pastor asks for those who are born again but you do not see Christ in him.
Take your time and, if you discover you do not yet belong to the Lord, now is your day of salvation. Because it is only in the Lord that you can rejoice always. are we saying it is easy to rejoice when a child has just died? Not at all. And that is why Paul had to repeat the instruction. However, being in the Lord speeds up the healing process so that the child of God soon. returns to his joy in the Lord. Keep in mind that we are on our positive problem series, where we embrace seemingly negative situations.
A child of God can do that because he knows what others do not know. He knows that God will work it out for his good in the end. But for the one who is not in the Lord, to rejoice always is impossible. Their master, the devil, will keep showing them the evil side of their situation. The devil does so because he knows that the joy of the Lord is your strength. If you rejoice always, you will remain strong in your faith.
Even The Poor Brother Must Be Glad
But to weaken you, the enemy does his best to drag you into sorrow and depression. A man in depression will be unable to do any real work even though your work is piling up. That in turn pushes them into greater depression until some end up committing suicide. The Bible says the devil came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Do not let satan steal your joy, kill you, and destroy your children. Tell him to get behind you by taking a stand to rejoice always.
The Bible does not stop there. It asks the poor brother to rejoice always. Now, that is tough. If you went to bed the night before on an empty stomach, how can you wake up rejoicing? James, the writer of that particular idea, gives us the strategy and reason. Such a person must keep reminding himself of his secure future in the Lord. There is that thought again, “in the Lord” since this is a brother, not just any man.
Lazarus the beggar was in the Lord. In the end, he enjoyed what James refers to as exaltation. Are you secure in your God-given future, where you will be exalted no matter what happens on earth? Then, it becomes easy to rejoice always. If you are not yet in the Lord, perhaps the economic hardship in part of the world has a purpose. God may be using it to get your attention. I do not know but if so, you should embrace your situation after embracing the Lord. It will turn out great. Guaranteed.
Maranatha!
