I Will Rejoice in the Lord

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

Are your feelings controlled by the events around you or are your feelings controlled by your faith in God and His ability to provide you with the strength you need to face any situation or circumstance?  Even though our world is in the midst of turmoil, God is still in control.  The prophet Habakkuk received a prophecy from God to deliver to Judah – the southern kingdom.  God wanted Judah to know that He was still in control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil.  We too need to know that Almighty God is still in control of this world despite the apparent triumph of evil. 

Notice a portion of the prayer Habakkuk prays to God in Habakkuk 3:17-19 – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crops fail and the fields produce not food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on heights.  Habakkuk understood that crop failure and the death of animals would devastate the land of Judah.  Habakkuk was declaring to God, even in the face of devastation, he would choose to rejoice in the LORD.  He knew His strength and that his only hope was found in the creator and sustainer of the universe – Almighty God.  God will provide the strength we need to face whatever devastation may occur.  When nothing makes sense and our circumstances seem more than we can bear, cry out to God for strength.  Prayerfully ask God to help you take your eyes off the difficulties of life and to help you focus on Him.  He is the answer, our hope, and our strength.  Habakkuk knew God was faithful.  Do you recognize that God is faithful? 

Rejoicing in the LORD does not mean we rejoice over difficult circumstances or situations.  It does mean we continue to praise our Savior and LORD during difficulties and recognize that God is always faithful to His children.  There is coming a day when this world will pass away and we will be ushered into eternity and the perfection that God has in store for His children.  We are living in volatile times but we can be assured that God is in control and will do what is right.  Our God is a righteous judge.  Knowing that our LORD is in complete control, gives us confidence and hope in this confusing world we are living in. 

We can say as Isaiah 25:9 says – In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”  We can rejoice because our Savior and LORD saved our souls.  We can rejoice because our God provides refuge, security, and peace to His children.  We can rejoice because Almighty God’s power is complete and His ultimate victory is certain. 

In the midst of the chaos in this world, we need not fear.  We can rejoice because God is our refuge and our strength.  Place your faith in Almighty God.  Prayerfully ask Him to take away your fear.  Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  Rejoice knowing that we can go to our God for our refuge and for our strength. 

We notice Paul’s final exhortation to the Philippians in Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Paul was in prison and was telling this church to rejoice.  Paul’s attitude teaches us that our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances.  Paul was able to rejoice because he knew Jesus Christ was His Savior and LORD and that Jesus was his refuge and strength. 

Choose today to rejoice in the LORD.  He is our refuge and our strength and ultimate victory is His.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing us with strength and peace in the midst of turmoil.  Help us to place our faith in You and rejoice no matter the circumstances in our lives and the chaos in our world.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen.