REJOICE & DWELL

Philippians 4:4–8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Paul, writing from a prison in Rome, gives the church at Philippi a challenge. In fact, the entire book of Philippians is kind of a challenge to the church at Philippi. Paul is in chains because of the message he preached. He experienced the amazing grace of Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his life hasn’t been the same. He’s been changed by the Gospel message and changed by his determination to share that message. He’s been hated and persecuted. Now, he finds himself awaiting a final trial in Rome.

Throughout his letter to the Philippians, it’s obvious that there is a holy joy that isn’t manufactured in Paul. Finally, as the book comes to a conclusion, he offers this advice…

REJOICE

DWELL

What if those two things are the secrets to true joy? I think they may be. I think, in order to maintain a spirit of joy in any period of time, we have to know what to rejoice in and dwell on.

Paul is saying, rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in who God is. Rejoice in His holiness. Rejoice in His goodness. Rejoice in His grace. Rejoice in His blessing. Rejoice in what He’s done. Rejoice in what He does. Rejoice that He has ultimate authority and is in ultimate control.

Paul is saying, dwell on good things.

Think about the truth. Think about the truth of who you are in Christ. Think about the truth of His Word. Think about the truth of the end of it all. Think about what is right, pure, admirable, and praiseworthy. Let those things control your mind. Let those things have your focus. In a world that is constantly trying to divert our focus, focus on the right things. Let those steer your mind.

So, the question today… what are you rejoicing in? What are you dwelling on?