Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice And Again, Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If and when you rejoice in the Lord always, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  In this passage, the Spirit of God emphasizes rejoicing by having Paul write: I will say it again: Rejoice!  If we want peace in this world, peace in our hearts and minds, our focus needs to be on the Lord, not on the things of this earth.  In our previous breakfast, we wrote about two women in Philippi who were disputing with each other about some issue that was troubling them.  Whatever it was, they felt strongly enough about it to hurt each other with words and actions.  Paul provides the solution to these kinds of problems and other cares of life by telling us, through the Spirit's inspiration, to rejoice always, to rejoice in the Lord.  If we want peace in our hearts, our words and actions should be measured by God's will, not the fleshly will.  Our primary focus should  be on the eternal, heavenly realities.  We should remember that we are eternal beings, born again through the actions of Jesus.  Paul says, we should turn our eyes on Him and rejoice because of what He has done for us.  We should not be anxious ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Then, the reality should be that we leave our concerns with the Lord.  All of this is easily said, but very hard to do, for our lives and the concerns of the flesh are very precious to us.  Earlier in the letter, when Paul tells the Philippians to do everything without arguing and complaining, he also says that even if he is being poured out like a drink offering, he also serves without complaint.  He wants them to know his heart: I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.  (Philippians 2:17-18)  In this rejoicing, they will find the peace of God.  As Paul wrote to the Colossians, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  

On the other hand, Paul realizes life has many struggles for the believer.  In this world, we always will have trials and difficult situations to address.  Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)  Anxiety and fear will sometimes grip our hearts when circumstances stretch us beyond our abilities to cope.  Life is not always easy for believers.  The Bible would not tell us to love our enemies if we were not going to have enemies.  James said to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.  (James 1:2)  Even Paul experienced many hardships for the sake of the gospel.  He wrote to the church in Corinth: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.   We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)  Paul stresses the point that when we suffer for Christ, we are revealing his life through our own bodies to the world.  Knowing this reality, we can rejoice in the Lord, we can rejoice always.  In our conversations, we talk a great deal about the blessings of the Lord and how much we thank the Lord for his presence in our lives.  Although trials come and there are many struggles to overcome, we are so blessed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the joy He brings into our lives, the inexpressible joy.  Speaking of joy, Mother Teresa said, "If you are joyful, do not worry about lukewarmness.  Joy will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance.  You will not be able to hide it because joy overflows."  This is an excellent expression of the joy of the Lord.  When we are filled with his joy, it does overflow.  People are attracted to those who have experienced God's joy; they want that joy for themselves.  Real joy is contagious and brightens a dark day.

The prophet Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10)  Nehemiah was announcing a celebration, and he wanted everyone to be included.  He said to share the joy with everyone--send some to those who have nothing prepared.  Nehemiah wanted to make sure everyone was part of this event.  Today, the Holy Spirit reminds us to rejoice, for we have reason to rejoice.  Christ has come: He has saved us from our sins.  We need no longer fear tomorrow or feel guilt over the past.  We can rest in the Lord, free from doubt and full of peace.  Peter wrote: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)  Casting is an action, so when the cares and anxieties come, we are free to give them to the Lord, to consciously say, "I give you my worries and my fears, Lord.  I trust you to take care of me; I choose to rejoice in you, my Savior and my Lord."  Have you ever thought about how easily doubt, fear, mistrust, and other sins of the mind creep in and we find ourselves in a quandary of unbelief?  On the other hand, faith is a definite choice and does not come quite as easily.  But if we seek the Lord, He is there to help and to guide.  We have the Holy Spirit within us, telling us the truth when we listen.  As Paul told the Romans, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  (Romans 10:8-9)  The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us to keep us in all our ways.  This is why Paul could say to the Christians at Philippi, Rejoice in the Lord always.  Paul knew who he was in Christ, and he knew who they were.  He could tell them to be gentle and to pray to God because the Lord was near to them.  He knew the peace of God was not something far off but a promise of God through Christ his Son.  Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  (John 14:27)  Walk in that peace today, dear friends as you rejoice in the Lord and rejoice again.