Rejoice evermore

Rejoice evermore??? Like seriously??

Are you kidding me? When 1 Dollar stands at 408 Naira? And a liter of fuel is 170naira? With foodstuff fast becoming luxury goods? You mean I should stay joyful when I have to work twice as hard to be able to afford basic needs and pay my bills?  What is there to rejoice about?

The above are some of the introspective questions we are faced with when we come across the biblical instructions to rejoice.

I have come to realize though, that the joy of the believer is irrespective of the goodness or badness of the times. It is rooted in something far greater. Nothing ephemeral, but something glorious and eternal.

I have come to realize though, that the joy of the believer is irrespective of the goodness or badness of the times. It is rooted in something far greater. Nothing ephemeral, but something glorious and eternal. Click To Tweet

Phillipians 4:4- ” Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice”. Paul counsels with strong emphasis.

Apostle Paul, a man of many afflictions who had been imprisoned several times, was instructing free fellows to rejoice. For a bit of perspective, history records that Paul wrote the letter which contains this instruction in Prison around 61 or 62 AD.

Consider that again. A man in bounds, instructing free men to be full of Joy.  He could have simply written “Weep and lament, be full of sorrows for there is much trouble and persecution around”, rather he let his heart delight in the Lord.

Happiness is that emotion we get when something good happens, but this biblical joy? It is whole different stuff.

Paul could have simply written "Weep and lament, be full of sorrows for there is much trouble and persecution around", rather he let his heart delight in the Lord. Click To Tweet

Joy is the fruit of the believer’s recreated spirit. Gal 5:22 It came with our salvation package. We have been programmed in such a way that there is a constant reason to be joyful.

Rejoicing is the active form of that joy. “Rejoice” is a verb. It takes intentional effort. It is the stirring up of the joy within to affect all our senses based on certain knowledge.

What knowledge?

The knowledge that Christ has given us eternal victory; a victory that transcends this earth. We have won ultimately. The devil, sin, death, and the grave have no hold on us. The Christian is expected to be joyful because he knows how it ends. It ends victoriously for him. Although he may die, he shall rise again. This keeps us in a perpetual state of tranquility.

Moreover, the believer rejoices because, despite all difficulties around, he stands PROSPEROUS – God is his SUFFICIENCY. He can be content with what he has even as he aims for more.

Dear friend, Christ is with you always. You are neither hopeless nor helpless. You have a sure hope and ever-present help. The consciousness of this should make you joyful. You are not to be moved by what you see or feel but by the declarations God has made concerning you.

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and REJOICE in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Take note, “we rejoice in Christ Jesus”. Many believers are sad and gloomy because of the lack of revelation or loss of consciousness of who Christ is and who they are in Christ. The understanding that nothing can separate you from his love should “totori” you forever.

Also, rejoicing is the faith response of the child of God to situations. When it appears that your world is crashing down, (and there will be those times indeed,) your rejoicing confirms your trust in God and confuses the enemy. 

“we rejoice in Christ Jesus”. Many believers are sad and gloomy because of the lack of revelation or loss of consciousness of who Christ is and who they are in Christ. The understanding that nothing can separate you from his love… Click To Tweet

1 Peter 1:8 posits that our rejoicing is evidence of our faith in Him and all he has done.

Even Christ made it a habit to rejoice… See Luke 10:17-24

Pay attention to his reason for rejoicing.  “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather REJOICE, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus REJOICED in spirit…”

We rejoice in the promises we have in Christ Jesus which are Yes and Amen.

Jesus rejoiced, then gave thanks by speaking. Your rejoicing should not remain at the level of your heart but should be obvious in your actions too, your speech, mood, etc.

What if I am not getting the desired result yet? Rejoice still. Jesus did not promise that there will not be tribulations, he however assures us that he has overcome this world for us. Read this beautiful piece by Prophet Habakkuk 3:17-19.

You gotta get your joy going, believer. Regardless of the times and events. Like a beloved brother would say: Give the devil a breakdown today.

Rejoice!

Jump!

Scream!!

Sing!!!

Make melody in your heart!!!!

Laugh at the face of the enemy.

Give thanks always for it is the will of God concerning you.

Rejoice evermore!!!