It has been ten years since the Cleveland Indians last made a run for the championship. The team was confident and fans were sure that ’97 was the Tribe’s year. Unfortunately the Indians ended up losing the seventh and deciding game in eleven innings to the Florida Marlines. I’m sorry but there is something fishy about the anticipation of joy turning to disappointment with the swing of the opponent’s bat.
- Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Philippians 3:1 NIV
People look for joy in lots of different places. Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord (something he repeats again and again). If Paul depended upon his circumstances for joy then he was in trouble. Being a prisoner in Rome with an uncertain future is about as low as you can go. Nevertheless Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice because Paul knew that rejoicing in the Lord was a safeguard. The same is true today. Think with me about how it is a safeguard to rejoice in the Lord.
- Rejoicing in the Lord gives us an absolute assurance of being in right standing before God. It’s hard to rejoice and praise the Lord when there is sin in our lives separating us from the Lord.
- Joy in the Lord protects our hearts form resentment and bitterness. People may disappoint me but God never will. Once more God will enable me to build bridges of reconciliation instead of walls of anger and disappointment.
- When we rejoice in the Lord our confidence is in God and not in ourselves. I can do all things through Christ.
- Our yearning for more and more stuff is disciplined and controlled when we learn to rejoice in the Lord. Only the content can truly rejoice.
- We have strength to stand firm through any and all situations when we rejoice in the Lord because the joy of the Lord is our strength.
So that’s a handful of ways rejoicing in the Lord is a safeguard, and there’s nothing fishy about it. What do you think?
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