Jan 02, 2021 – REJOICE!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Christian life itself is a happy life. When you are called the children of God, it gives you happiness. When you walk with God, and when you get blessed by Him, it gives you happiness. Nobody can separate this happiness from you.

Amidst distress and affliction and under imprisonment in the Roman prison, Paul, the Apostle remains happy and also writes to others to remain happy.

You have happiness in prayer. You see the golden face of God during prayer time and your heart blossoms. You feel happy when you see that God not only listens to your prayer bur answers too. You rejoice when you call God, “Abba, Father” in your prayer.

A devotee was subjected to extreme torture in a country. He was put into a big, stinking tank for months together. But, even from that place, the devotee was praising, thanking and exalting God through songs. With all happiness, he said, “I have attached my heart with heaven. My soul keeps on hearing the sound of the angels.”

Dear children of God, whatever may be the situation, never forget to pray. Several tests which could ruin your happiness may come in your life. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.

What is the next happiness of the children of God? It is the joy in proclaiming Him; joy in noticing others doing the same. Paul, the apostle writes, “Christ is preached; and in this, I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).

For the whole of his lifetime, Paul proclaimed the glorious Gospel of Christ. He did not stop this even when he was put behind bars. From there he proclaimed the Gospel to all the visitors to the prison. From within the prison, he wrote many Epistles and proclaimed the Word of God to many churches through them.

Do you know what the next happiness of Paul is? He writes, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me” (Philippians 2:17, 18). *Dear children of God, if you dedicate your life to the ministry of Jesus, it will provide you with great eternal joy.

To meditate: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).