The Duty of Joy

There is a profound message in this verse.  It’s about the duty of joy.  We equate joy to emotions that come and go.  Joy is a reaction to a blessing.  We look at it this way sometimes.  If the Lord blesses me in church today, I’ll rejoice.  We act like we need a jolt.  We’re blessed already.  The Bible says we are to enter into his courts with praise.  It’s not a spontaneous response.  It’s an action.  It’s a duty.  It’s visible evidence of an inward possession.  It’s not turned off and on.  Paul gives it as a commandment.

In Philippians 4:2 Paul says to be like minded with unity. In verse 3 he says to help those who have helped him.  In verse 5 he says let our moderation be known.  In verse 6 he says pray about everything.  Stuck in the midst of these is verse 4.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

He says it and then repeats it. Rejoice.  It’s the duty of our soul and the least we can do.  What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?

There are so many different sicknesses to be afflicted with, but perhaps the most common is “down” syndrome, the state of mind and heart in discouragement and depression.  There is a lot to get us down, but there is much more to rejoice about.  Discouragement is the devil’s greatest tool.  He wants to steal our joy.  Soon we’d be defeated and would find ourselves drifting away trying to find encouragement elsewhere.  Our natural instinct is to want contentment and happiness.  People try many avenues to find it.  The mistake is trying to find it outside of God.  Here Paul tells us to rejoice.  The Lord has not ceased blessing and working.  He’s not withdrawn himself.  God is alive and active in this world and in our lives.  We are the problem.  How active are you in your joy?

There is a world of melody in this piano. As long as there is no action, if no fingers go to the keyboard, it will be silent.  It won’t play itself.  We have salvation.  We have reason to rejoice, yet we stand by.  Are you thinking to yourself that you have reason to be down?  Maybe you do, but you have more reason to rejoice.  Don’t you have much money?  I don’t either, but our riches are not of this world.  We have a treasure in heaven.  Don’t put more stock in earthly wealth than spiritual wealth.  We need to stop acting so discouraged.  We need to act on the joy of the Lord.  If there is no gas in the tank or key in the switch, the car won’t go anywhere.  You have to drive it.  Don’t blame God or others for your despondency.  What about old number one?  Rejoicing is an action that comes from enjoying God.  When you enjoy something, you tell others about it.  When many come to the house of God, they act like a life-size piece of cardboard.  There is a photo on it but nothing to it.  They are in low gear.  If we don’t enjoy living for God don’t expect others to want him.

If I say “oh, how I love Jesus” it should be with a smile on my face.  We’ll go to a game and yell and scream but inside the church we speak of God at all, we do it in monotone voices.  Paul said rejoice!  Don’t be a parasite Christian and try to feed off someone else’s joy.  Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself.  Jesus hung naked on the cross of Calvary and bore our sins.  He bore that shame so we can be saved.  We can smile.  Why hide it or tone it down?  Why hold back from expressing our joy?  We’re not to do it only when we’re feeling good.  Rejoice in the valley.  A Christian has accomplished a great deal when he learns to rejoice in difficult circumstances.  Paul said he learned to be content in whatever state he found himself.

Philippians is an epistle of joy.  There are many injunctions to rejoice.  Use it or lose it.  What did David say after he backslid on the Lord?  “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” He fell away from God; he lost his joy.

We have it.  Use it. Birds were made to fly—let it fly.  Joy is like sun.  Let is shine.  Don’t bother with what people think if you express yourself.  Don’t be ashamed.  Remember Jesus said if we’re ashamed of him he’ll be ashamed of us.  Jesus has done so much.  Should we not tell him and share our joy. Don’t blame anyone else if you don’t enjoy it like you used to.  I can’t do anything about anyone else but Bob Surber.  You can only do it for yourself.

How happy are you?  Do others know about your happiness in the Lord?  Does the Lord know?  Now is the time to pray.  Ask the Lord to show you how to rejoice.

Lord, show us how to shine.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!