Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (KJV)
Has anyone ever asked you, “Why are you such a sourpuss?” Once I had gone to get something that I needed at a super building supply store and I didn’t find it and I was deep in thought. I suppose I had a scowl on my face and a female employee spoke to me and I smiled. She said you have a beautiful smile; (I never thought I had a “beautiful smile, more like a silly looking grin. But I digress.) you should use it more often. Well, after I left the store, so did my smile. They didn’t have what I was looking for so I was going to have to go somewhere else.
Paul told us to be “always” rejoicing in the Lord. Is that easy for you? When you are in pain do you feel like rejoicing? Or, if you have lost a loved-one, do you feel like rejoicing? Maybe, when you have been told some terrible news, do you feel like rejoicing? Most likely, NOT!
However, the rejoicing that Paul is speaking of is not dependent on one’s circumstances. It IS dependent on one’s relationship with the Lord. Notice that Paul said to rejoice IN the Lord and that speaks of relationship. If one’s relationship with Christ is right, one can rejoice in any situation of life.
Also, when one’s relationship with the Lord is right one need not be anxious about anything. Some people spend their time worrying about this, that and the other and they never seem to learn that they can “cast all of their cares on the Lord.” They never learn that God cares for them. Isn’t that what Paul was saying in verses 6-7?
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
There is divine protection for you through the Holy Spirit. That protection includes soul, mind and body if you will believe it. Amen and amen.
