WEEK 39 – DAY 2

ALWAYS REJOICING

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

The note for Philippians 4:4 in the Reformation Study Bible says, “The command to rejoice can always be obeyed, even in the midst of conflict, adversity, and deprivation, because joy rests not on favorable circumstances, but ‘in the Lord.’”   I have found this to be true in my own journey. I had to lie virtually flat on my back for four-and-a-half years due to a dislocated knee and necrotic ulcers on my legs and feet.  Turning was excruciating because of the need to put a brace on each leg beforehand, as well as two straps around both of them to enable the legs to move in tandem.  The side I have the most balance on is also the side to which my pelvis is swept (a dislocation common in people with cerebral palsy), causing pain when my body weight is on that side. After turning, the braces would have to be removed, inflicting great pain as scabs that had stuck to the brace would come off.   However, I could still rejoice, knowing that in the middle of all these difficulties, the Lord is on my side. The struggles of this life, even though they may feel permanent, are temporary, but the glory of heaven is eternal.  “You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here,” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (VOICE).  No matter what challenges you face today, you can make a choice to rejoice by remembering all the Lord has done and will do in this life and forever.

Father, help us to always choose joy both in the difficult circumstances of every day or in the elation of celebrating our relationship with You.