Philippians 4:4-5

Surely Paul’s command for believers to “Rejoice in the Lord always” can only be brought into fruition in our lives through the dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power. Circumstances in a fallen, sin sick world can be anything but happy. We cannot depend upon them to keep us constantly joyful. Indeed, they most often leave us wringing our hands in despair rather than lifting them up in joy and praise. The joy commanded by God’s Word is not dependent upon circumstances, people or things. Sadly and unfortunately, we often allow these to rob us of our joy. For a Christian, joy can and should be a constant companion. Paul writes similarly in 1 Thessalonians:

16 Be joyful always; 1 Thess 5:16 (NIV)

“Circumstances do not have the power to steal your joy. Joy is the by-product of experiencing God’s sovereign grace even in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances.” Anonymous

God desires for His children to be joyful and He gives them every reason to be. Indeed, we were destined for joy. God sent His Son that our joy would be made complete and abundant in Him and certainly not just on pleasant days only. I am reminded of the Baptist’s words regarding his complete joy in the Son:

27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:27-30 (NIV)

Interestingly, John was joyful even in the womb. The Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit prior to birth. Elizabeth, John’s mother, exclaimed the following when Mary, the Lord’s mother, spoke her greetings:

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:41-44 (NIV)

This joy commanded springs from the blessings that are ours in Christ. Yet it takes more than mere words and commands to muster up joy in the human heart. It is not about rolling up our sleeves and putting on a happy face. True joy is a Fruit of the Spirit (the second mentioned) and is a high standard only obtainable and continually sustainable by the Spirit’s power. If we allow Him, the Holy Spirit can fill us daily with His power and presence enabling us to manifest Christlikeness in our spheres of influence. As we yield ourselves to the Lord Jesus the Spirit fills us and we become more and more like Christ. We can never attain the Fruit of the Spirit apart from His powerful help. The more we depend upon Him the more we will evidence His character in our lives. Our jobs are to maintain a proper focus – not on our circumstances – rather on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, asking Him to supernaturally change us. The writer of Hebrews states:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 (NIV)

“Lord guide me in this Christian race, And keep my mind intent on thee; Rejoicing when I see thy face, And trusting when I cannot see.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

“It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him always; at all times, in all conditions. There is enough in God to furnish us with matter for joy in the worst circumstances on earth.” Matthew Henry

The apostle did more than proclaim this command, he lived it. Rarely, if any of us, have experienced the trying circumstances which Paul did - beaten, chained and thrown into prison, flogged, left for dead, shipwrecked, hungry, destitute – yet he still maintained his joy by depending upon the One who bestows it:

“In a command to ‘be joyful,’ self-discipline isn’t the goal. It isn’t an effective response or even a realistic one. We can’t change our hearts simply by telling them to change. We can, however, realize that our attitudes are off-kilter and ask Him to supernaturally change them. He holds hearts in His hand; He can certainly sway them with His thoughts and fill them with His Spirit. If we are going to be people who are always joyful, this is how it has to be. We can’t follow this instruction in the midst of trying circumstances unless we have a radical change of perspective and supernatural help. Biblical commands to rejoice – especially in suffering, persecution, and the intense trials of life – can only be fulfilled when we depend on Him.” Chris Tiegreen