Rejoice always.
Two small words that pull a punch.
When Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to “rejoice always,” we often smile, nod, and say amen. But have you ever paused to consider the word “always”?
Always in the Greek means “at all times.” When are we to rejoice? At all times, without ceasing, forever, always.
Which means that our rejoicing (or joy) doesn’t depend on emotion, feelings, circumstances, culture, politics, finances, or any other thing. It’s unchanging because our joy is in Christ. The reason we rejoice is Him. The reason it can be “always” and at all times because He is constant, He is unchanging, He is faithful … and therefore we can place our confidence and trust in Him. We are immovable only in Christ. We can rejoice always because it’s centered in and upon Him.
So rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).
Know I am cheering you on unto that end!
—NRJohnson
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