DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 12; Habakkuk 3; Romans 16
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
The saints at Philippi were experiencing troubles and evidently were spiritually discouraged. In this short letter Paul encourages them to “joy” or “rejoice“ sixteen times. The reason they were sad is that they were over occupied with their troubles, instead of being occupied with the Lord. In the verse above, notice where our joy is—not in ourselves, but in the Lord. What we are in Him never changes, nor does He. Notice when our joy is—always. Literally at all times, whether in sorrow or happiness, our joy in Him never changes. In Nehemiah’s day they laboured to build the walls of the city and “The joy of the Lord was their strength” (Neh. 8:10). —Harold G. Smith
I love the Christ who died on Calvary, for He washed my sins away;
He put within my heart a melody, and I know it is there to stay. —E. Roth