Friday, November 23, 2001
Friday, November 23, 2001
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
If the Bible tells us to rejoice always, it stands to reason that we should be glad to do it
in the midst of the bad as well as the good. When we learn to rejoice we will soon
discover that being thankful is not so hard. Dr. R. A. Torrey, founder of the Bible
Institute of Los Angeles, who lost a daughter prematurely, tells how he was walking
down the street the week after she had died. He said his hurt and sadness welled up
inside of him because he realized he was without his daughter. But as he continued to
walk he reported that all of a sudden he was overwhelmed by the spirit of the Lord. He
said before he knew it he was rejoicing. This continued until he said he was filled with
joy. The love, care, and presence of the Lord made him feel as joyful as he had ever
felt before. He said that before he realized it he was even thanking the Lord for the
twelve years he had with his daughter and for the fact that she was with God.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
NRSV)
The biblical picture of someone who rejoices always is a person who is somehow able
to rejoice his or her way through life. I suspect that true Christian rejoicing helps us
face the ups and downs of life. It is rejoicing that gets us through the trouble spots.
Lord Jesus, you have given me a grateful heart, and may it carry me through the hard
times of life. Amen.
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