REJOICE

“Finally, my brethren,

rejoice in the Lord”

PHILLIPIANS 3:1

To rejoice in the Lord, in all circumstances, is the result of a deep and hidden life in Christ Jesus. This world and everything in it is antagonistic to this spontaneous life in HIM. Pressures, concerns, deadlines, relationships, and a multitude of other things are ever at work to keep us from the simplicity of a life that rejoices in our Saviour. Paul goes on to say…

“To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous,
but for you it is safe”
PHILLIPIANS 3:1

The exhortation to “rejoice in the Lord” is not some idle religious phrase. It is given to us as a SAFEGUARD to protect our hearts and minds against the stratagems of the enemy. It is one of the tempers of heart to keep us impervious to the desire of the enemy to hurt or wound. It keeps our eyes fixed upon the ONE who is ever saving us from the contamination of this world.

To rejoice in HIM is for OUR SAFTEY! It is for our good and strength. Do we not read that the “JOY OF THE LORD, IS OUR STRENGTH”? To learn to walk in this truth releases HIS power in our lives; it is a medicine to our souls. It is vibrant and strong and will bring us to the place where in all things we are so fixed upon HIM that there is a flow of constant worship going out of our hearts unto HIM that loves us. These things are not entered into easily or quickly; it is a school and a discipline that is LEARNED by walking with HIM.

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire:
and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image,
and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass,
having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb”
REVELATION 15:2

To be able to sing these songs in the midst of tremendous opposition is the privilege of the overcomer. It is the result of victory that these songs are sung. It is the mark of a life that has been crucified with Christ in the actual realities of one’s heart. Though we are still in the process of HIS shaping and dealings to bring us to this high and wonderful place let us not grow weary in the WAY that lies before us. Let us even now, no matter how faint our voices may be, discover the power and strength of rejoicing in HIM! HE will not fail us in this day. HE will never leave us nor forsake us for HIS NAME IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. HE is our hope and our strength and in HIM alone will we trust.

“Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord”
PHILLIPIANS 3:1

Brian Troxel