Again I say, Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice (Phil. 4:4 KJV)

What an instruction of the Spirit! He says to us “rejoice in the Lord alway: again I saw, Rejoice”. He repeats the instruction to stress its importance. To rejoice essentially means to manifest or exercise joy. Joy is a noun, rejoice is a verb. Joy is a tangible spiritual virtue that someone can have or not. Rejoicing is an act, something that someone does while exercising joy. It is a verb. It is an action word. It is always seen. Joy can sometimes be silent in the heart since it is a virtue. But rejoicing is an action that is always visible. The commandment in this verse is not to have joy as the fruit of the Spirit, but to rejoice!

The more you understand the dynamics of our spiritual life, the wider your eyes will open to the critical place that joy occupies in the overall health and working of your spirit. Your spirit and the spiritual life that flows from it thrives in joy and withers in sorrow and depression. You cannot walk with God practically in a heart that is devoid of joy.

He commands us to rejoice in the Lord. Your joy is not in the things of this world but in the Lord. He is the Source of your joy, and to say it more firmly He is your Joy! He is the One who will make you glad. He is the One who will make all things work together for your good. He is the One who will turn your circumstances around and fill your mouth with laughter as though you were dreaming. He is your joy. If you want Him to walk with you, then rejoice always, and again He commands you to rejoice!

MEDITATE

What is the difference between joy and rejoice? Declare that “ I am a visible expression of the joy of the Lord at all times”.

APPLY THE WORD

Read this instruction carefully. Many people want to rejoice only when a stressful situation has changed. No, God says rejoice and it is the joy that will create an avenue for the situation to change. Please ensure you understand this. Rejoice always!