December 19, 2018

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO HELP ME REJOICE (part 5)

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice

God has given us precious resources to enable us to “rejoice” in our everyday lives. Rejoicing should be a characteristic that is present in our lives. It is, or should be, one of those things that sets us apart. Let’s look at some more of these resources that are given to us in Philippians chapter four.

5. HIS PRESENCE TO ACCOMPANY US (9b)
9:…the God of peace shall be with you.

With all the really wonderful reasons that we have to continuously rejoice in the Lord, this is the ‘mother load’. “God with us!” Remember in Matthew chapter one:

* 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

We should rejoice “in” the Lord, because we can rejoice “with” the Lord. We are never alone. I have heard people say that a person should rejoice if they have two or even one true friend in their life. We have a “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”, and He has promised to be with us for an eternity. Even if I go a wrong direction, He is with me. Even if everyone forsakes me, He is with me. Even if everything in my life seems to go wrong, He is with me. Therefore, Paul says right after in verse eleven:

* 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Paul was content in whatever circumstance or situation he was in because he knew that God was with him. Therefore, you and I should be content also. We should be constantly aware that God Himself is with us wherever we go and whatever we go through. Be content today. We have God’s presence to accompany us. We are never alone. God never promised that our life would be easy, but when we put our faith and trust in Him, He has promised that we don’t ever have to go through it alone.