THURSDAY

Nov 10, 2022
2 min read

Lord, today I feel like rejoicing. Fill my heart with joy again today!

Philippians 4:10-13

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Yesterday I wasn’t rejoicing. There was joy in my heart, but my heart was not full of joy. In this passage, Paul notes that when the Philippian church reached out to him showing how much they cared and that he was still on their minds, his heart was filled with joy again—he rejoiced.

He doesn’t fault them for not reaching out to him before—But he simply states they were not to blame: You had no opportunity to show it. Whatever the reason they seem to have more concern for him today than they may have had yesterday—This is not the issue. The focus of the situation is more Paul’s response to how he received the news: I rejoiced greatly.

Paul admits their perceived lack of concern yesterday did not steal his joy because he has learned contentment is a condition of his heart, not the state of his surrounding circumstances. He draws his strength from the Lord and makes the declaration, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: I may not be in a constant state of rejoicing, but my heart can be in a constant condition of joy. This is because Christ is in my heart. If Christ wasn’t in my heart, or if I didn’t acknowledge His presence, I would not be rejoicing. I would instead be re-moaning and re-groaning due to the condition of my heart caused by sin. But because He is in my heart, the condition of my heart should be joyful—no matter what the circumstances. A joyful heart acknowledges that God is in control, and I’m not.

When we receive uplifting news, our heart is filled with joy, and we want to tell the world. This is the literal interpretation of re-joicing—the filling of our heart with joy and gladness, not only that our circumstances have changed, but for Christ’s faithfulness in maintaining our joyful heart condition.

Lord, bless me today as I spend it rejoicing in Your love and favor for me.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman