“Rejoice!”

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

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:1, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” One chapter later Paul exhorts them a second and third time, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  It cannot be said too many times!  In fact, Paul was repeating what God’s people have been exhorted to do over fifty times in the Scriptures.  For example, look up the following verses and see the emphasis God puts on rejoicing:  Lev. 23:40; Dt. 12:12, 18; 16:11, 15; 26:11; 27:7; 1 Sam. 2:1; 2 Chron. 6:41; 20:27; Ps. 2:11; 19:8; 20:5; 28:7; 32:11; 33:1; 40:16; 97:1, 12; 98:4; 105:3; 118:24; Isa. 41:16; 61:10; Joel 2:21, 23; Hab. 3:18; Zech. 10:7.

You would think after these repeated references to rejoicing, God’s people would get the message!

The Hebrew word for “rejoice” is “simhah” which means “to shine, to be bright.” Rejoicing causes one to shine.  Rejoicing will brighten up your spirit in a dark time.

So Christian, brighten up and shine for the Lord!