DAY EIGHTY-FOUR:
Rejoice in the Lord
Philippi was named for Phillip of Macedonia, Alexander the Great's father. It was an important center for commerce and many Romans lived in this Greek city. Paul went to Philippi on his second missionary journey after he dreamed of a man saying "Come to Macedonia and help us." There he found Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, who believed the Good News and let Paul use her home as his base. While in Philippi Paul ran afoul of the local authorities. He and his companion Silas were whipped and placed in stocks. When an earthquake leveled the jail not one prisoner escaped. This prompted the jailer to trust in Christ and his whole household believed as well. Paul left a robust church behind when he left for Thessalonica. They didn't forget Paul. In addition to praying for him they also supported him financially. Their contributions (which weren't easy to deliver in those days before banks, checks and post offices) enabled Paul to work full-time at preaching and teaching and later paid the expenses of his house arrest.
The theme of the book can be summed up in one word: rejoice. Paul uses the word nine times in this four-chapter epistle. The Greek word, chairo, means to be cheerful or happy. What reason did Paul have to be happy? He would have thought this a dumb question. "What reason do I have NOT to be happy?" is how he would have phrased the question. Yes, he's in jail, yes, he's suffered more than we can begin to imagine. He's happy because God is in control and He is working in all circumstances to bless us and bring glory to His name.
Let's look at the three verses that begin chapter 4 before we get into today's reading. "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." The Philippians are a joy to him because they understand the Gospel and live by it. Their generosity has blessed him and many others. Their acts of service are an example to all. Paul urges them to hang in there, to keep on keeping on. Unlike the Galatians and Corinthians, Paul has no major problems to address with the Philippians.
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." I love these two verses. They show us how we should handle disagreements in the church. Euodia and Syntiche, for some reason were on the outs. Both had done much for the Lord and His church. If not addressed promptly little issues grow and start to fracture the church. Paul urged the pastor to work with them to resolve the problem.
Now on to our passage. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." This is in the imperative and thus a command. He strengthened that command by repeating it. Rejoice (be cheerful and happy) when? When everything is going right in our lives? No. Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. That includes when things aren't going well. If the circumstances don't lend themselves to cheerfulness, be happy anyway. The same God who blesses us in the good times doesn't all of a sudden desert us in the bad times.
"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone." When we exhibit the joy of the Lord, people notice. Thank the waitress when she refills your coffee. Wish the cashier a good day as you leave. Show respect and kindness to everyone you meet.
"The Lord is at hand;" Our natural inclination is to see this as an affirmation that Jesus is returning soon. The Greek word does carry that meaning. But it also can mean close by, near physically. Jesus promised that He would be with us always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20) Jesus is with us always, even in our darkest times. This gives us comfort and encouragement.
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." The word anxious in Greek comes from a root that means to divide. When we're anxious our attention is divided. While we should be thinking of the things of God we end up dividing our thoughts between Him and our problems. Paul said don't stew over your problems. Pray instead. Give the matter to God, and let Him handle it. Wait for His answer and His perfect provision. Someone once told me that God is never late, but is seldom early. He likes to wait till the last minute sometimes in answering our prayers. Trust in Him and wait. The next verse tells us the benefits for us:
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God's peace is His gift to us, and it's something we just can't comprehend or create for ourselves. Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." God's peace doesn't depend on outward circumstances. Paul was at peace no matter what. He wrote a few verses after our passage, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (4:11-13)
Paul ended with an encouragement to right thinking. "Finally, brothers,
- whatever is true: Embrace the truth of God as revealed in His Word and think of those things that are in accord with His truth.
- whatever is honorable: Dwell on things that are respectable and honored by all.
- whatever is just: Meditate upon what is right and fair.
- whatever is pure: Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit rather than the lusts of the flesh
- whatever is lovely: Literally, pleasant. Fill your mind with the beauty that God has placed all around us, and the beauty that artists bring forth
- whatever is commendable: Literally well-spoken. When something is good and right in the sight of God and man, let that form your thoughts.
- if there is any excellence: This is excellence in a moral sense. Not just doing the right thing, but doing it very well, to the glory of God. Think of people you know who fit this description and consider their examples.
- if there is anything worthy of praise: There's nothing and no one more worthy of praise than God Himself.
"Think about these things." Don't fill your mind with the garbage our culture spews out. Be discerning and discriminating when you turn on the TV, when you go to the movies, when you pick out a book to read. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Paul held himself up as an example to be copied. Do the things you see me doing, and you'll be on the right track. He said earlier in the letter, "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." (3:17) Pay attention to those who live for Christ and do what they do. It's easy to talk the talk, but the ones who walk the walk are examples for us all. This is especially important as we teach our children about our faith. They have an uncanny way of seeing through our pretenses to what we really value.
Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Paul would add his hearty Amen to that. When you think about it, is there any reason for us to be gloomy? God is in control and nothing can separate us from Him. Knowing that, we can obey the command to rejoice in the Lord always. "God is good all the time. All the time God is good."
There ought to be at least one holy earworm for you in this medley of praise songs from Keith Green:
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