1 Thess. 5 v 16: “Rejoice always”
God’s commandment is not difficult to keep and they are for our own good. Rejoicing evermore is one of such commandment as you can see in (1Thess.5v16). The meaning of this is that God wants you to be joyful regardless of the circumstance of life. Is this ever possible? I want you to know that it’s possible because God would never ask us to do what we can’t do!
To rejoice evermore also means to rejoice all the time. Now, this does not mean you will not have down times or go through the bad or ugly stuff of life but what it simply means is that you can be joyful in whatsoever situation you may be. A good example of someone who exhibited this quality is Apostle Paul as you can see from the following scriptures:
- “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2Cor.6v10a). Paul was joyful in the midst of sorrow. This was made possible by looking at sorrow from the biblical point of view.
- “…I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation” (2Cor.7v4b). Again, as we can see here, Paul had overflowing joy in the midst of all his troubles. A good example of this is when he was beaten and locked up in jail with Silas in Philippi for preaching the gospel. He demonstrated joy in the midst of tribulation (Acts 16v23-26).
My dear reader, if Paul could do this, you too can because it’s the same covenant that we operate in. So, why was Paul successful in rejoicing regardless of the situation of life he found himself in? It was because:
- He chose to rejoice. Being joyful is a decision. Although the joy of the Lord is your portion, it still has to be activated by your choice. You can choose to be either joyful or down casted. I, therefore, encourage you to choose to be joyful instead of sorrowful (Ps.32v11; Philip.4v4).
- The Lord was the source of his joy. Paul knew that the Lord was the source or origin of his joy not things, people, or the circumstances of life. If the Lord is the source of your joy, then it can’t be affected by the conditions of life. Since the Lord is stable and constant, your joy too will be constant (Ps.97v12). Who is the source of your joy? Is it the Lord or something else?
Other Scriptural References: (Philip. 2 v 17; 2 Cor.12 v 9-10; Rom. 5 v 3; Ps. 33 v 1: 68 v 3; 1 Thes. 5 v 18).
Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge you as the source of my joy and I choose to rejoice always in Jesus name, amen.
CONFESSION: Rejoicing evermore is my portion and heritage. I choose to rejoice and not to be discouraged or down casted. I rejoice in the Lord my God. I rejoice at his faithfulness and word. I rejoice regardless of the circumstance of life I find myself because I know that joy is a lifter and promoter. I am lifted and raised by Jehovah because I rejoice in the Lord always. Glory be to Jesus, I rejoice in the Lord all the time. This is my new attitude and disposition in every circumstance of life in Jesus name, amen.
Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.
Recent Comments