“Reasons To Rejoice”
Would you say that the New Testament book of Philippians is much about rejoicing? Why? The word rejoice, is used nine times in these four short chapters. The world spews out hatred daily but the word of God gives us cause to rejoice. The Psalmist wrote, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24). David said, “…Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord” (Ps. 68:3). Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). There are many reasons to rejoice. Here are a few:
One, is because God Loves me. Almost everyone can quote John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Let the writer John declare it, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I Jn. 4:7-8). The world may hate you, but remember what Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (Jn. 15:18). I wish the world did not hate Christ and Christianity, but I can rejoice because God loves me.
Two, is because God is in control. Much praise, rightly so, is being heaped upon Tammie Jo Shults for her calm and steady control of Southwest Flight 1380. That had to be a harrowing experience. She was in complete control of that aircraft. The world is in a mess; folks killing each other, nations fighting against one another, political parties are at each other’s throat. Wait! Wait! You may not think it, realize it or believe, but God is in control. He owns it all, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10). God could bring this old world to an end in seconds just by his word (2 Pet. 3:3-8). What about Daniel’s words, when he wrote, “And he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will” (Dan. 5:21)? Jesus’ words before Pilate need no explanation. He said, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above…” (Jn. 19:11). I can rejoice because God is in control.
Three, is because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Read Paul’s words when he wrote, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13-14). Redemption! Salvation! Purification! All because of the blood of Jesus. If the blood has been applied, the sins have been remitted. Isn’t that cause to rejoice?
Yes! “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).
