Rejoice Always

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

The early morning sun shines brightly as I re-read the Bible verses in front of me. Several months ago I had memorized the verses 1 Thes 5:16-18, but it’s not until now that the Spirit speaks to me through these verses.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Does this mean as believers and followers of Christ we are promised happiness here on earth? Happiness that will allow us to rejoice always? On the contrary Jesus tells his followers specifically in John 16:33 that; In the world you will have tribulation.

The dictionary defines tribulation as: Great affliction, trial, or distress; suffering:

So why and how are we to rejoice always? Because, as John 16:33 continues, “be of good cheer, I (Jesus) have overcome the world.

We can rejoice because of what Jesus has done.

Imagine, you are a mother or father and see your child struggle tremendously. You feel for him, because you have experienced the same, (Jesus lived on earth and was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Isaiah 53). But even as you see your child struggle you encourage him to rejoice because you know that there is an end in sight, an end to all suffering and pain, an end where sorrow will be turned to joy.

Our heavenly Father does the same. He encourages us to rejoice because; The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us. And Romans 8:18 Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor 2:9

Jesus says in John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come : but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice , and your joy no man taketh from you.

Giving birth is a painful experience, but so great is the joy when you hold the new born baby in your arms, you don`t remember the pain anymore. That is the analogy Jesus uses between life and eternity. Life is painful, but so great is the joy when you begin eternity with God you no longer remember the pain.

During struggles and trials how often do we focus on the temporal life here? In Col 3:2 it says “Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth.”

Jesus tells us in John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my father`s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Jesus promises believers that he is preparing a place for them. A glorious, eternal home where all tears will be wiped from their eyes. (Revelations 21:4) While we wait for his return he has promised that; I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. Matt 28:20.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice Phil 4:4

Because of what He has done, we have reason to rejoice. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee and my soul which thou hast redeemed. Psalm 71:23