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Philippians 4:4 - CHOOSE JOY!Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Philippians 4:4 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! WORD STUDY Rejoice in the Lord. Paul's familiar theme throughout the epistle, which has already been heard in chaps. 1-2. This, however, is the first time he adds "in the Lord," which signifies the sphere in which the believers' joy exists - a sphere unrelated to the circumstances of life, but related to an unassailable, unchanging relationship to the sovereign Lord. [MacArthur Study Bible 2024] INTRODUCTION Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. [Life Application SB 2019] How strange that a man in prison could tell a church to rejoice. But Paul's attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our outward circumstances do not need to dictate our inner attitudes. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter Paul urges the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven't been joyful lately, let the Holy Spirit remind you that true joy is found in the Lord and the promise of his second coming. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Whatever your disposition may be, God is able so to mold it that it will be sweet and Christlike. By the exercise of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light. We open to ourselves the floodgates of woe or joy. If we permit our thoughts to be engrossed with the troubles and trifles of earth, our hearts will be filled with unbelief, gloom, and foreboding. If we set our affections on things above, the voice of Jesus will speak to our hearts, murmuring will cease, and vexing thoughts will be lost in praise to our Redeemer. Those who dwell upon God's great mercies and are not unmindful of His lesser gifts, will put on the girdle of gladness and make melody in their hearts to the Lord. Then they will enjoy their work. They will stand firm at their post of duty. They will have a placid temper, a trustful spirit. CT233-4 COMMENTARY An Undefeatable Joy As a believer in Christ, you can find an endless source of joy through God's grace. This type of joy isn't dampened by a rainy day or obscured by a dark night. This joy is an anchor, even when the waves of life are stormy. It holds steady, even if water seems to be filling your boat from every side, because it is given by a God who never changes and never fails to show up in your life. It doesn't negate hardship or even sorrow. But it does eternally permeate your soul. So how do you get this joy? You spend time in His Word and learn to focus on the things that are immovable - things that are pure, noble, lovely, excellent - and that cannot be devalued or depreciated by darkness. You begin to focus on heavenly truths, namely, the victory of the cross and the assurance of the future resurrection. Both are set in stone and are catalysts for life-shaping joy. Because of these truths, and the Spirit living within you, joy can be yours every day and in any situation. Dear God, You've made great joy available to me today. I take hold of Your promises, which lead me to the fullness of life and joy. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS True joy is found in the Lord and the promise of his second coming. [Life Application SB 2019] When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light... If we permit our thoughts to be engrossed with the troubles and trifles of earth, our hearts will be filled with unbelief, gloom, and foreboding. If we set our affections on things above, the voice of Jesus will speak to our hearts, murmuring will cease, and vexing thoughts will be lost in praise to our Redeemer. CT233-4 Spend time in His Word and learn to focus on the things that are immovable - things that are pure, noble, lovely, excellent - and that cannot be devalued or depreciated by darkness... Begin to focus on heavenly truths, namely, the victory of the cross and the assurance of the future resurrection. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Philippians 4:4 - CHOOSE JOY! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240228-0844.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190703-1341.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180603-1713.html Philippians 3:1 - How To Always Rejoice In The Lord. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240407-1012.html 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - How to Be Joyful and Rejoice Always. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210212-0933.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |