And Again I Say, Rejoice

From prison Paul wrote to the Philippians, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places” (1:12-13).  He did not become discouraged at his station in life, but rather saw opportunities to do good.  Paul looked on the bright side.  Though he could not travel, he could write; we have four wonderful epistles in the New Testament that he wrote while in prison: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

He wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).  Paul had joy in spite of his outward circumstances because his joy was in the Lord.  To be in Christ is to have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).  To be in Christ is to be a new creature who no longer judges things according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).  To be in Christ means one has been united with Him in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life, anticipating that one shall be resurrected from the dead just as the Lord was (Romans 6:3-5).  How often we forget how wonderful it is to be in Christ!

This is why Paul repeats the reminder to “rejoice in the Lord.”  We are in need of reminders.  We may intellectually know that we are in Christ but were forget what a blessing it is.  Other essential truths that we have known for years must be reviewed as well because spiritually we are forgetful, become discouraged, and lapse into sin.  So, remember to read God’s word, pray, associate with other Christians, and come to worship in order to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (2 Peter 3:1).

When you are prone to worry or forget God’s great love for you, remember to take it to the Lord in prayer.  After repeating his exhortation to rejoice, Paul goes on to say, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).  To “be careful” in the KJV here is to be worried; it is similar to the “take thought” of Jesus’ warning against worry in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34).  God’s peace will guard your heart if you truly cast all your care upon Him, knowing that He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).  When Paul was in prison he prayed; he said, “I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:14).

Paul remembered to look on the bright side.  He reminded others to do the same.  Let us help each other to remember this as Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

-Mark Day