Rejoice

 Rejoice

November 15, 2024

Philippians 4:4-9

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

In recent posts we have been talking about recent events and what it will take to bring revival to the land. Today, I would like to look at one key to reviving your own hope. “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice.” Looking at the world situation can get us down, but we need to look up. Remember that the Lord sits on his throne in the heavenlies. Remember Psalm 2 and how the Lord reacts to the plots of world leaders.

Psalms 2:4

4He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

If the Lord can laugh at them, then we should not be anxious for anything. We can rejoice in the goodness of God and trust Him in all things. The Apostle Paul goes on to say that we can pray with thanksgiving and we will have peace which passes understanding. I for one, like to understand everything, but have learned that it is better to trust the Lord and just rejoice when you see all the silliness that world leaders try to do. In the end, it is the Lord that is on His throne and every knee will bow.

The second part of this key to peaceful living is found in verses 8 and 9. In addition to rejoicing, we should think on things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. We can control our attitude. It’s not easy in this world where competing thoughts fill the airwaves, but it is possible. Part of not being anxious is to just take a break and meditate on the goodness of God. It is a choice whether to obsess on the evils of the world or to rejoice in the goodness of God.

So this then is one key to revival. In order to bring the gospel of peace to the world, we need to be at peace in our own soul. The Apostle Paul tells on in this letter to the Philippians how to do that. He ends this discourse with the famous and often quoted out of context verse: Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The “all things” follows the rejoicing and right thinking and practicing these things. When we get out act together, then the Lord will provide the peace and strength in all things.