Rejoice in the Lord Always

Hello, family🤗, It’s a new week and I want you to hold on to your God-given peace and rest and continue to rejoice in the Lord always regardless of your situation.

Philippians 4: 4 – 7 says “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 every situation, 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.”

But is it really possible for us to rejoice always? This is life and we know that things do happen. Sad and tragic situation occurs and it can be very hard to rejoice in such times.

However, the word of God says to rejoice always. This tells me that it is possible to rejoice always. I have met people who continue to rejoice and maintain their inner peace regardless of the situation around them. But what about other people especially BELIEVERS who find it hard to rejoice always?

This is because we are looking for peace and rest in the wrong places.

Many of us look for peace and rest on our phones, on social media, many of us try to eat, sleep or exercise away our worries and troubles and many share their worries with friends. But we soon find that even though we get some relaxation and rest in these things, they are temporary and counterfeit. Soon we become sad again. I don’t know about you but, I don’t want a Counterfeit Peace, I want permanent peace. 

And the only place to find such true and permanent peace is in Christ. True peace is found in the prince of peace. “No matter how deep our troubles are, Christ is deeper.”

We must study the word of God and find peace in it. Do as Philippians 4: 6 says and go on your knees and pour out your heart to God. He hears and he will comfort you.

2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 4 says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in ALL our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 

Note that it says, God comforts us in ALL our troubles, not some or few. We also have the holy spirit living in us. He is our greatest comforter. Allow him to consume you fully, so troubles and worries will have no place in your heart.

Also, note that God comforts us, so we can also comfort others. But, How can God use us to comfort others when we haven’t found comfort in him ourselves? And how do we find comfort in God when we are going to the wrong places for comfort and we neglect the word of God?

Let us stop using our Bibles as accessories, pillows or house decorations. Let us open and feast on it. Also, fight your battles on your knees. Give all the yoke and burden to God and rest in him. Then you will be able to rejoice always in the Lord.

The song, “It is well with my soul” was penned by Horatio Spafford during the most difficult time of his life. He had lost his son at four (4) years old to scarlet fever and lost his four daughters in one day on a transatlantic voyage.

A worldly or fleshly Christian who doesn’t walk by faith but by sight might say, “Really? That man must be crazy, there is nothing well with his soul. How can he even say that in such a situation?”

But a true Christian who walks by faith and not by sight and have totally rest in Christ Jesus might say, “Glory to God in the highest. It is well with my soul.”

It Is Well with My Soul Lyrics (Read and reflect on each sentence carefully)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),

with my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

(Refrain)

For me, be it, Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(Refrain)

And Lord haste the day, when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain)

Horatio Spafford’s family was later blessed with 3 Children. A boy (who died at the age of 3 from scarlet fever again) and two girls. If you ask me, I don’t know why the boy died again from scarlet fever. Many things happen in life that we seek answers for but we just can’t get it. God’s way is different from ours and we just can’t question his ways. All we have to do is trust.

We still refer to the Spafford’s story today because of the intriguing and deep spiritual response from Horatio Spafford in such a difficult time. He chose to keep rejoicing in the Lord. He chose peace and rest in Christ.

It is well with my soul and I rejoice in the Lord always not because everything is absolutely fine and my life is perfect but because I know that my GOD is BIGGER than ALL my problems and I have faith in him that he will never ever forsake the righteous/upright ones.

True peace and rest, family,  can ONLY be found in Christ Jesus.

So my question for you is, where are you looking to find peace and Rest? I truly hope it’s in God.

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus. AMEN- Philippians 4:7. 

Keep rejoicing in the Lord always. Don’t allow anyone or any situation to rain or your parade and steal away your joy. Choose to be happy and hold on to your peace.

Have a blessed week, family.

Eternally Loved❤️