REJOICE by Maria Hartman

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4

WHAT should we do? Rejoice....
In WHO? The Lord....
WHEN should we do this? Always...

God knew we'd need so much help with this concept, so through the apostle Paul, God says, "AGAIN I say rejoice." We will never rejoice in our circumstances: job loss, cancer, a rebellious child, death of a loved one, broken relationships, corrupt leaders, etc. But we CAN always rejoice IN the Lord. No matter what comes, God remains the same. He is forever Faithful and True. And somehow if we make a conscious decision to rejoice in Him no matter what comes our way, He does something amazing. He enables us to find joy in those very circumstances that were at one time so hard to even tolerate. How? by following the WHO of the above verse!

With a heart and mind focused on Jesus we are brought to a place far above any circumstance.....transported to a view of Holiness and glory......to the cross. Putting the flesh to death and seeking His Life which gave me life, I become broken by what sin cost my Savior. At Calvary I can embrace love as I can nowhere else. I can fully and completely rejoice in Jesus Christ as I live and KNOW that whatever comes, no matter now 'bad' it may appear, God has already provided and continues to provide for all of my needs through the Son and by His Spirit.

For today: Rejoicing in our circumstances is impossible, and God never intended for us to do that. Rejoicing in the Lord is not only possible, but it is the only option when we really 'see' what His priceless sacrifice cost Him. And in 'seeing' through an earnest search and ferverent longing, the supernatural takes place. Suddenly I can rejoice despite injustice, and loss, and financial need. I can rejoice though my heart grows weary, loved ones live in darkness, and the future of the world as we know it is so uncertain. Why? One reason alone answers that question; because I can always rejoice IN Him. And nothing will ever take that away.
Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.