By Mac Deaver Via Bulletin Gold
In Phil. 4:4 Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always:
again I will say, Rejoice.” –But what are some
circumstances that call forth the joy of which Paul
speaks?
We ought to rejoice in our salvation. After the
Ethiopian officer’s conversion, he went on his way
rejoicing (Acts 8:39). After the seventy returned from
their mission, Jesus told them to rejoice that their names
were written in heaven (Lk. 10:20). If one’s sins are
forgiven and his name is written in the Lamb’s book of
life, he certainly ought to rejoice.
We ought to rejoice as we realize that God is in
control of world affairs. Sometimes the catastrophic
events throughout the world cause us all great concern.
But we must not despair, realizing that God is aware of
all, and is in control of all. (Rom. 13:1-4; Isaiah 6:1).
And even if we must suffer for right-doing, there is
occasion for rejoicing (Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 2:20).
We ought to rejoice in the knowledge that all will
work out to the ultimate good of the faithful. “And we
know that to them that love God all things work
together for good, even to them that are called
according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). All things
revolve around the good of the church. Paul also said,
“The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and
will save me unto his heavenly kingdom….” (2 Tim.
4:18)
Indeed, the Christian has every reason to rejoice in
the Lord.
Groveland, FL