“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
So goes a familiar passage from Philippians (4:4). But, as is often the case with familiarity, it can lose its punch over time. So, I would like to offer a few words about joy.
- Paul has inserted the theme of joy throughout this letter to the Philippians. He prays with joy (1:4-5), dies with joy (2:17-18), and lives with joy in the Lord (3:1). Joy is a composed, inner conviction that God is in control of all circumstances, even those of Paul’s imprisonment! It is evidence of the Spirit’s presence (Gal. 5:22; Rom. 14:17).
- We are to rejoice (rest in God’s control) “always.” Theoretically, there is never a time when we should question God’s care for us. When we do, our joy is the first thing to go. After all, if no one is in control, then life is ultimately meaningless, history is going nowhere, and hope is a vacuous concept.
- Certainly, the beginning of our joy is knowing that our sins have been forgiven once and for all and that we’re on our way to heaven (1 Pt. 1:8-9). But, it does not end there. Paul calls on the Philippians (and us) to rejoice during the most trying of times (these words were written while he was under arrest, imprisoned, and possibly facing death!)
- Although our joy is “in the Lord”, there is a sense in which we can and must find joy in and because of our circumstances, “we know that in [not from] all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). Moreover, our negative circumstances may actually be part of our suffering for Christ (Philip 2:17) as our groaning, and that of all creation, is the birth pangs of the new age (Rom 8:18-25). It is only with this mindset that we find God’s strength (“the joy of the LORD is your strength,” Neh. 8:10).
- Our joy, therefore, is directly related to our sense of God’s meticulous sovereignty (Mt. 10:29-31). When are we to rejoice? “Always!” How long are we to rejoice? “Always!” Here there is no blind optimism, but a deep sense that God is “always” there for us to rejoice in Him, despite our lot in life. Here there is healing and wholesome living. Here there is wellness of soul. Here we come face to face with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ “who for the joy set before him endured the cross” (Heb. 12:1) and saw the glorious future that awaits us all.
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
— Katharina von Schlege, 1752