Philippians 4:4-7–Rejoice in the Lord Always
Monday, May 14, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Rejoice in the Lord, always” (Philippians 4:4).
Bobby McFerrin wrote the song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” in 1988. Exposing this simply philosophy, the song soon became one of the most popular hits of the year. The song’s perspective, at first glance, may appear to be similar to Paul’s exhortation to rejoice always. They are, however, different.
McFerrin’s song encourages a relaxed attitude toward life. A parallel view point is expressed by Richard Carlson in his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff. The idea isn’t necessarily a bad one. There are times, though, when we face big stuff. The question becomes, “What do we do then?”
It is at such times (and all times) that Paul’s instruction is applicable. We rejoice in the Lord. All followers of Jesus are able to rejoice because of the Lord—God’s love, presence and power—is a part of our lives. We may not be in control, but somehow God is in control. Our ability to rejoice, be happy, and not sweat the small stuff is not based on our own ability or on outward circumstances. Rather, it is based on the God of all creation.
Lord, move in us so that we can always rest in you and rejoice that you are God’ Almighty. Amen.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Let your gentleness be known to everyone” (Philippians 4:5).
It is difficult to save a drowning person. Lifeguards are taught to first give the person a flotation device. The reason is simple. Drowning people are frantic. If a rescuer attempts to get close to help the person, the drowning person could grab the rescuer and use him or her as a flotation device. The result could be disaster for both individuals.
There are situations that cause us to be anxious or insight us to panic. When this happens, we become dangerous. We force our agenda and seek to manipulate others. We say things and do things that hurt those close to us. Our Christian witness dims.
Paul reminds us, though, that we do not need to panic. We can be gentle even in the midst of trials and tribulations. We can do this, because we are people of faith—people who rest in the embrace of a loving Lord. Safe and secure we can be gentle even in the most trying of times.
Lord, help us to rest in you. Amen.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Do not worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6a).
Have you ever seen an infant or toddler worry? It’s not likely. Part of the reason is that they don’t understand what is going on around them. The main reason, though, is that they have complete trust in their parents—the people who are caring for them. The children know that they will be fed when they are hungry. Diapers will be changed—even if the diaper changer doesn’t want to handle the messy, smelly offerings. Care givers will also provide clothing and shelter without first being asked.
The Lord has moved faithfully in our lives fulfilling our prayers to, “give us this day our daily bread.” Beyond our physical necessities, we have been given the gifts of faith, hope, forgiveness, and a number of other “intangibles” that enable us to experience an abundant and free life.
We truly do not need to worry about anything. The Lord is our care giver and provider. God has cared for us in the past, is continuing to provide for us today and we trust will give us our daily bread in the future.
Turn up the music! Don’t worry, be happy! Praise the Lord!
Thank you, Lord, for your daily provisions in our lives. Amen.
Thursday, May 17, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“But in everything by prayer and supplication” (Philippians 4:6b).
Hakim and his wife, Monique, had been married over twenty-five years—a long time. They frequently finished each other’s sentences and occasionally read each other’s minds—but not always. One evening Monique was emptying out the dishwasher, while Hakim sat at the kitchen table thumbing through his emails. Monique thought that Hakim should be helping her with the dishes, but Hakim was oblivious to her growing frustration. It wasn’t until later that evening that Hakim noticed the chill in the room and asked Monique what was bothering her.
“You should have helped me put away dishes,” Monique replied.
“I would have gladly helped,” Hakim countered, “but you never asked.
“I shouldn’t have to ask,” Monique said with a note of exasperation in her voice.
“Yes, you should have asked. I’m a man. I don’t read minds.”
There are times when we’re short on prayers and long on worry. We expect the all-knowing God to be aware of our situation and understand our needs. Though this might be true, the Lord relishes those times when we come to God in prayer, confess our need and seek God’s aid. The Lord also wants to remind us that prayer is a good antidote to worry. Instead of worry, pray. If we pray and then start to worry later, we are encouraged to pray again. Maybe the verse the Bobby McFerrin’s song should be changed from, “Don’t worry, be happy,” to, “Don’t worry, just pray.”
We thank you, Lord, that you long to hear our prayers and encourage us to approach you in prayer with the same boldness that children make requests of their parents. Amen.
Friday, May 18, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 6c).
Most of us were taught the magic words, “Please,” and “Thank you.” We say, “Please” when we make our request and “Thank you” when we receive it. Paul has a different idea. He encourages his readers to say, “Thank you,” along with “Please,” when we make our prayers and supplications. Some Christians understand Paul’s instructions to be a type of faith action. We believe that God will answer our prayer, so as evidence of that belief we say, “Thank you.” Unfortunately, this perspective can trick us into believing that the answer to our prayers is based on the level of our faith rather than the depth of God’s grace.
There is so much for which we can be thankful. Our thankfulness—our attitude of gratitude—can celebrate God’s overwhelming grace in our lives and reassure us of God’s love and care. Thankfulness and praise not only honors God, they also inspire our faith and strengthen our faith. When thankfulness is coupled with prayer, they can transform situations of struggle and times of worry into grace filled events.
Thank you, Lord. You truly are worthy of our thankfulness and praise. Amen.
Saturday, May 19, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7a).
Some people spend their entire time on earth creating lives that are safe and secure. They believe that once they have built such a castle that whey will finally be at peace. For these people, peace is the absence of conflict or of unsettling and disturbing situations.
Instead of the picture of peace behind fortress walls, another portrait of peace is a child fast asleep in the arms of his or her parents. The closed eyes, soft breathing and total relaxation is a demonstration of peace that we’d all long to have. Such a peace is ours as followers of Jesus. We can rest in God’s arms secure in God’s love. The Lord will not drop us. Nothing can snatch us out of God’s arms, and if we stir, the Holy Spirit sings us a lullaby of love.
We thank you, Lord, for the gift of peace, which is frequently too great for us to comprehend. Move so that everyone may experience such peace. Amen.
Sunday, May 20, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always
“Will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 7b).
Cindy Lopez had a special place—the bottom drawer in her night stand. It was there that she kept all of the birthday, anniversary and Mother’s Day cards that her husband and children had given her over the years. Every so often she would pull them out of their hiding place and read through them again. Those were special times. When he went on his deployment, Binh’s father gave home one of his medals. Binh kept the medal under his pillow and clutched it in his hand every night while he slept. We all have our special places—places that are safe and secure—where we keep our special things.
In the view of the ancients, our hearts and minds were the essence of our beings. These were treasures that needed to be kept safe. The safest place for followers of Jesus is in Christ Jesus. Nothing in all of the universe is able to separate us from God’s love. No false shepherd or thief can sneak in and grab us away. We are secure and at peace in Jesus. We are where we were created to be.
Lord, you are our rock and our fortress, a present help in time of need. Thank you. Amen.