One of the more challenging verses in Scripture to apply to one’s life is in Philippian 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Many a Christian has wondered how this is possible. Yes, we are commanded to “rejoice in the Lord” in Philippians 3:1, but 4:4 adds the word “always.” Later in the chapter Paul would report that he “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” (4:10). How is that even possible?
May I suggest to you that our thoughts may be focused on the wrong words in the passage. We first notice the challenge of “rejoice,” which is sometimes problematic, depending on people and circumstances. But, then there’s the word “always.” In the evaluation of some, the Lord took it too far with that word. Still, we are focused on the wrong words. Look at the three words in between to find the key to fulfilling this imperative—“in the Lord.” The only way to truly “rejoice” and to “rejoice always” is to do so “in the Lord”!
What does that mean to the Christian today…to our everyday lives? How can I learn to “rejoice IN THE LORD always”? Nine times in this four-chapter book of Philippians, the prepositional phrase “in the Lord” is found. We’ve noticed three already (3:1; 4:4, 10). The other six provide a great explanation to realizing how this challenge is possible.
To rejoice in the Lord always, I must learn to “trust in the Lord” (2:19). The word “trust” in this verse means to have “hope in the Lord.” Truly putting my hope and my trust in the Lord will help me to rejoice in the Lord…always.
To rejoice in the Lord always, I must learn to be “confident in the Lord” (2:24, NIV). While some translations have the word “trust” again (like v. 19), it is a different Greek word, which means “to be convinced, sure and certain.” Having a settled confidence in the Lord will help me to rejoice in the Lord…always.
To rejoice in the Lord always, I must “stand fast in the Lord” (4:1). The word means to stand firm, to hold one’s ground, like a soldier determined not to budge one inch from his post. Standing firm with and for the Lord will help me to rejoice in the Lord…always.
To rejoice in the Lord always, I must genuinely focus on my “brethren in the Lord” (1:14). I must learn to “receive [them] in the Lord” (2:29), meaning to welcome them favorably unto myself. I must learn to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2), by learning to adopt the “mind” of Christ, which strives for unity through humility (2:5, 2), and strives to “walk by the same rule” or “standard” (3:16). Focusing on my brethren in the Lord will help me to rejoice in the Lord…always.
True rejoicing is not “in the world” but “in the Lord”!