#31 Top 40 New Testament Passages: Rejoice in the Lord Always! (Philippians 4:4-7)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

This is one of my go to verses that I've committed to memory. Philippians 4:6 made a list of 25 most loved Bible verses. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/the-25-most-read-bible-verses/

The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi. The community of Christians there is considered to be the first in Europe. Philippi is located in Turkey. Named after the Greek king Philip the Great (father to Alexander), the Romans made the city into a colony as a gift to faithful soldiers to Caesar. The forces of Brutus and Cassius, both conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar, were defeated at Philippi. 

Since the city was largely Roman at the time of Paul's missionary travels there wasn't a Jewish synagogue where he might proclaim the good news about Jesus Messiah. There were, however, a small group of the city's Jews who worshiped outside the city along the Krenides River. That is where Paul met Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, who welcomed him to stay in her home. 

It was in Philippi that Paul exorcised a demon-possessed fortune teller. Her owners were furious because she made them good money foretelling futures. But now she was not able to without the demonic spirit enabling her. As a result Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and imprisoned with shackles in the innermost cell.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:25-26)

When the jailer saw what happened he assumed Paul and all the other prisoners had escaped. He drew his sword to take his own life. Paul stopped him. He had been attending to the other prisoners after the earthquake. When the jailer realized what sort of selfless man Paul was, and that he had saved him from disgrace, he wanted to know this Jesus that Paul preached. The jailer and his entire household were baptized in to the Christian faith.

The image the story in Acts 16 gives us is an excellent one to keep in mind when considering Paul's teaching here in Philippians 4:4-7. Paul's back was ripped open and bleeding from the beating. The lashing would've cut wounds into his flesh. To make things more uncomfortable he wore irons shackles on his wrists and wooden stocks on his feet. He was with Silas. There was comfort in a fellow disciple sharing in his suffering. But how many of us in the same sad condition would sing praises to God? We might pray while in hurting in prison, but would we sing? But look what happens! Paul's chains fall off because the Lord shook the place in response to their prayers and singing. 

The church in Philippi was in a different sort of imprisonment. There were others who claimed to be apostles of the Lord who had gained influence over the congregation. These, Paul said, preach for their own gain. (Philippians 1:17; 2:21) Paul preaches to benefit the Philippians, not for his own benefit. A certain amount of infighting had disturbed the peace of the community, as a result of the so-called apostles who taught that all Gentile Christian males must be circumcised. 

The epistle to the Philippians is sometimes called Paul's epistle of joy. A few of Paul's letters have a harsh edge to them as he is clearly disappointed for various reasons. But Philippians feels joyful at its opening and ends joyfully. Paul wrote while in prison in another place. The Philippians sent food and supplies to support him. One of their own, Epaphroditus, brought the rations to Paul in prison. 

Paul seeks to correct the situation by reminding the Philippians to put no confidence in the flesh. the rite of circumcision is a Jewish covenantal custom. It marks them as fully devoted to keeping the Law of Moses. It marks them as God's chosen. Should the Philippians not also be marked? Paul states that the Gentile Christians are the true circumcised, for they have been marked with the Holy Spirit. Paul came from the Jewish tradition of the Pharisees. In Christ, he found a much greater prize than all he had accomplished as a Pharisee. 

And so after addressing circumcision Paul asks two persons in the church to agree. 

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:2-3) It is assumed that the disagreement is around the turmoil created by the circumcising apostles. So instead of becoming entangled in controversy, Paul offers liberation. Rejoice in the Lord!

Just as Paul was set free through prayer and praising through song, the Philippians will be freed through rejoicing and keeping their minds on whatever is praiseworthy. 

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Rejoicing in what is good flows out of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. Paul says rejoice for the Lord is near. That means both in spiritual presence now and in the triumphant return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the not too distant future.  Paul expected Jesus to return in his lifetime. All the New Testament authors felt the same way. This anticipation of the return of Jesus was taught by Jesus himself when he encouraged his disciples to be alert and always watchful. (Luke 21:34-36) In the same way, Christians throughout the centuries live in hopeful expectation for the ultimate triumph of divine love through Jesus Christ.

I just finished a period of pining for the future. I couldn't wait to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. After 2 years of waiting to see the sequel trilogy's big finished, I was elated. But I have to admit, the anticipation of the event was more exciting than seeing the actual film. Don't get me wrong. I loved it, but I had initial misgivings. It took me about three viewings to fully appreciate it. Since then I've read the novelization and, just yesterday, I purchased the BluRay edition. I'm a happy guy. Anticipation satisfied. 

My point is that excitement and joy come with hope filled expectation. The nearness of Christ should give us joy and peace. That inward peace comes though the discipline of prayerful rejoicing. If you are expecting the sky to fall, you will likely walk around anxious and afraid. We live in fearful times right now with the current Coronavirus pandemic. The virus is killing thousands. Before this is over perhaps millions will die. Already this crisis is no longer something happening to somebody else. It's happening to me and mine. One of my wife's coworkers has come down with the virus. One of my friends from college reported that his friend's mother passed away after infection. As I said, these are fearful times. We have good reason to be anxious.

Paul tells the Church "Do not be anxious about anything, but rather pray." (Philippians 4:6) How are we to pray? With thanksgiving! We will worry. It's just in our nature to be afraid when we sense a threat to our safety and security. But when we do worry, quickly choose to turn your concerns to God in prayer, trusting God to protect and provide. When I think of all the things I have worried about, most of them never turned out as bad as I had imagined. Sometimes the things I worried about didn't happen to me at all. What I can say is that through every trial in life, God is faithful. God has always provided a way. Can you also testify the same in your life? 

If you would enjoy that peace that passes all understanding, like "How can you be so calm in this the midst of this health crisis?" kind of peace, then practice the discipline of prayerful rejoicing. Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in Christ's promise to be with you always, even to the end of the world! Rejoice in God's love for you, unconditional and eternal. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ, not even death, and certainly not the Coronavirus! (Romans 8:38) 

Rejoice in the many good things you enjoy in this life: you family and friends, your employment and coworkers, clean air and water, an abundance of food, the return of spring and budding flowers, green grass, newborn babies, music, art, and film! This world is filled with wonderful, beautiful places, animals, and people! People are doing wonderful things during this crisis. We are encouraging each other with humor and faith and inspiring stories. 

Yes, there are examples of bad behavior. But there are more who are doing good. They rarely make the news, but if you open your eyes you will see that it is true. You will see all kinds of reasons for rejoicing. Train your eyes and heart to look for the praiseworthy, and you will know peace. Peace will flood your soul as you give thanks to the God who created you, saved you, and who will ultimately bless you with life everlasting.