20 Dec January 10th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

REJOICE IN THE LORD

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Rejoice means to be filled with happiness and joy.  A Dairy Queen blizzard gives me a lot of happiness and joy.  There are many other things that provide me with joy as well.  However, the derived happiness and joy received from a blizzard, T-bone steak, and socializing with friends is it is momentary.

I may remember the delightful taste of the blizzard even into the next day.  The satisfying flavor of the steak may linger for a day or two as well.  Socializing with friends, the enjoyable conversation and/or activities with them may stay in my memory for awhile, but all of joy and happiness derived from my earthly, temporal activities do not last forever.

There is a joy that does last forever.  It is the joy and happiness that God grants through the gift of faith in His Son Jesus.  The source of all true, lasting joy is found in Jesus Christ.  The joy you derive from being connected to Him by God’s grace and the faith in Him with which you have been gifted is one that remains even in difficult circumstances because you have hope in Christ. Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount, “Rejoice and be glad, (the context here is when you are being persecuted) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)

The joy derived from your faith in Jesus is, unlike temporal temporary joy that is momentary, it endures even into all eternity.  Jesus said to His Disciples, who were depressed at the thought that He was about to physically leave them, “. . . you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22)

John the Baptist derived His joy from knowing, believing in, and serving Jesus.  He said, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” (John 3:27-29) Through the Gospel you hear the Bridegrooms voice.  Through the faith God gives you through this Gospel you know and believe the Bridegroom is Jesus.  Knowing and believing in Him gives you much joy no matter what is happening in your life.

Prayer:   God of hope fill me with all joy and peace trusting in Jesus, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen.  [This prayer is based upon Romans 15:13]

Rejoice, O pilgrim throne! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;

Your festval banner wave on high, The cross of Christ your king.

Refrain:  Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

With voice as full and strong As ocean’s surging praise,

Send forth the sturdy hymns of old, The psalms of ancient days.

Refrain:

With all the angel choirs, With all the saints on earth

Pour out the strains of joy and bliss, True rapture, nobles mirth.

Refrain:

Yet on and onward still, With hymn and chant and song,

Through gate and porch and columned aisle The hallowed pathways throng.  Refrain:

Still lift your standard high, Still march in firm array,

As pilgrims through the darkness wend Till dawns the golden day.

Refrain:

At last the march shall end; The wearied ones shall rest;

The pilgrims find their home at last, Jerusalem the blest.

Refrain:

Praise Him who reigns on high, The Lord whom we adore;

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore.

Refrain:

(LSB 813)