Rejoice in the Lord Always | The Institute for Creation Research

Rejoice in the Lord Always

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

Here is a verse that is often glibly quoted, yet seldom fully applied. It rolls off the tongue easily during sunny days of ease, but is a tremendous challenge to live out during times of heartache, disappointment, and trial. But one of the keys to having our joy stand distinct from the world's mirth is found in the small word: alway.

The Scripture commands us always to rejoice. But what about when our dearest friends forsake us? Paul had experienced that. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Timothy 4:10). And yet he still rejoiced in the Lord. But what about when we face a major disappointment in our endeavors? Paul had endured such failure and times of deprivation (Philippians 4:11) yet he commanded, "Rejoice in the Lord!" But what about when tremendous grief or a tragic accident strikes home? Shock and mourning are normal reactions. However, I Thessalonians 4:13 instructs, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." David wrote, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

How about when we are misunderstood and mistreated? Paul had been imprisoned not far from the church to which he wrote in our text. In Philippi "when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them" (Acts 16:23-25). Paul had practiced what he was now preaching to the Philippian saints. Rejoice in the Lord always! DW

The Latest
NEWS
Creation's Easter Message
While many Christians still consider the creation doctrine a fringe issue, a proper understanding of the Christian message finds creation at its core...

NEWS
ICR Veteran Don Barber Retires
Don Barber   After 34 years with the Institute for Creation Research, Director of Enterprise Technology Don Barber will retire...

CREATION.LIVE PODCAST
The Sanctity of Life | Creation.Live Podcast: Episode 23
Abortion is a big issue culturally and in the church. How can believers love our neighbors and act as the hands and feet of Christ when it comes...

NEWS
Plant Receptors Are Designed to Control Immunity and Development
God has designed plants to continuously track their environment.1 They do so with specially designed detectors (also called receptors) on...

CREATION PODCAST
Homo Naledi: The Lies Behind Evolution's Rising Star | The Creation...
Homo naledi, once evolution's 'rising star,' was considered to be a prime example of human evolution. But is it really proof? Or...

NEWS
A Subsurface Ocean on Mimas?
Scientists have analyzed data obtained from the Cassini spacecraft and concluded that irregularities in the orbit of Saturn’s moon Mimas indicate...

NEWS
In Theaters March 20 & 21: The Ark and the Darkness
Is Genesis true? What about Noah’s Flood? How did Noah fit the animals on the ark? Wasn’t it a local flood? Have you asked these questions? Though...

NEWS
Enigmatic Fossil Plants
The pre-Flood world thousands of years ago was unlike the world of today.1 Unfamiliar animals and plants were common, and there were a lot...

NEWS
Surprisingly Colorful Fossil Snail Shells
Finding organic compounds such as flexible dinosaur collagen and complete bone cells1,2 is becoming common, much to the shock and consternation...

NEWS
March 2024 ICR Wallpaper
"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." (Matthew 28:6 NKJV) ICR March 2024 wallpaper is now available for mobile, tablet,...