JOY OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES

October 15 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. People might surround themselves with personal pleasures which they think will bring them happiness. Eventually they find the pleasure did not last. It is the same with all purely earthly pursuits. 

True Biblical joy is different from happiness as we know it. Happiness comes and goes whether things are going well for us or not. Striving for this happiness results in eventual depression and lack of fulfillment. Worse, longing only for worldly happiness could reveal pride in our hearts to only satisfy ourselves at any cost.  

Joy, on the other hand, is something we can experience no matter if things are going well or not well. Even if trials and tribulations are coming rapid fire in our lives, we can have joy through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Paul had joy that the Gospel was being preached (Phil. 1:18). He tells the Philippian believers they can have “joy of faith” (Phil. 1:25). The Apostle desired a joy of knowing that Christians would have unity (Phil. 2:2). A believer rejoices “in the day of Christ” (Phil. 2:16). Any Christian can “rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 3:1).  

Only in Christ are true unity and joy possible. Trust in Him. Rely on Him for your daily strength. Order your life on Biblical principles and you will have the joy of knowing you have invested in eternal, spiritual things. Always look onward and upward no matter what is going on in life (Col. 3:1). And one day, all believers will be able to enjoy the blessings of heaven, and the new Jerusalem, as we worship God for all eternity.  

Matt Foreman