REJOICE!
By Erik Farstad
February 4, 1998
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
Why would a man in prison send a letter to his friends telling them to rejoice? I’ll tell you why. He had the joy of the living Lord in his heart. This man was Paul, and the entire book of Philippians was written while he was in a Roman prison. Are you in prison now? If you aren’t, and I don’t think you are, do you have the same joy as Paul? If you don’t have joy in your life, or you haven’t been joyful lately, than the following should encourage you.
Mark 1:2 says, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way." Here Mark, who accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, quotes the great prophet Isaiah. Isaiah in the Old Testament (Isaiah 40:3) predicted that the Messiah would come. This Messiah is none other than Jesus Christ himself. Isaiah was right, Christ did come. Not only did He come to live on this earth, but He also died just for you! Jesus came to live a life you can’t, one full of perfection and sinless living. His death paid your price into Heaven. If you call on Him and believe in His finished work on the cross of Calvary, you will have forgiveness for eternity. Without the great messenger and His preparation for your life, where would you be? If you are still having trouble rejoicing, read on.
John 8:12b says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." God sent Christ as a messenger, to lead you to the gates of Heaven. As your messenger, Christ has made you a promise, spoken by His very mouth, that you will never be alone. When Jesus came into your life, and I pray now that you have accepted Him, he brought God’s presence, protection and helping guidance. With God in your life, the darkness of this world cannot affect you. The life in you, is greater than the darkness of this world! Do you have reason to rejoice yet? If you don’t, like Paul, I’ll say it again: Read On!
John 14:1, 3b says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me...I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Christ died for you and ascended into Heaven. And here’s the greatest news of all: He did that so He could prepare your own personal room in Heaven! Soon He’ll call you to your Heavenly home. How exciting. You will have your own personal party at Heavens gates, with all your family and friends past and present. But most important of all, you will get to meet and bow before the Lord Almighty Himself! You will have the privilege of singing His praises, walking hand in hand throughout the land of plenty. Rejoice my friend. Rejoice my brother. Rejoice my sister. The Lord Almighty lives now and forever, Amen!
One last thing. When Jesus was talking with Martha in John 11:25 He asked her a question. Over two thousand years ago He asked her this question and today He is asking you:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
If you do believe, then REJOICE!
In Him, "E"