August 27 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The apostle Paul, as a servant of Jesus Christ, commands all believers to have joy as a basic ingredient of life. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” he writes, and repeats himself for emphasis, “Again I will say, rejoice.” (Phil 4:4) There is something truly amazing about Christian rejoicing! It allows us to have inner peace even as we suffer, feel pain, and go through troubles and trials. Christian joy allows us to smile as tears flow down our cheeks.

Most dictionaries define joy as a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment. Joy is an emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. It’s a word that gives good vibes. Someone may say, “I don’t like life. I have no reason for joy.” But no one says, “Oh, I just can’t stand being joyful. I wish the feeling would go away!” Joy puts our worries, anxieties and fears into perspective. We are not overcome by fear and we do not let bitterness settle into our hearts. We have every reason to rejoice because something exceptionally good and satisfying has happened! As Christians we have been placed into a relationship with God through Jesus! He has come into our lives and given us the greatest satisfaction by paying for our sins and showing there is far more to life than meets the eye. His love in Jesus Christ changes our disposition!

Children of God come together every Lord’s Day to be reminded to rejoice in the Lord, to look to Jesus and rejoice in God’s great faithfulness. True and lasting joy comes from knowing Jesus as the Saviour of our lives. He allows us to rejoice in something exceptionally good and satisfying for the rest of our life—even when we go through dark valleys and as we face death. There is nothing that can take away Christian joy.

Rejoicing in the Lord does not mean pain ceases to be felt, or that disappointments are a thing of the past, but we know of something that eclipses and surpasses the hurt. It becomes possible to be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor 6:10). It becomes more important to have joy than to eat and drink! The Bible says in Romans 14:17, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” When you are governed by the Spirit you will make the choice to rejoice!