"JOY NO MATTER WHAT"
Sound like a tall order? But ask yourself: When was the last time you were robbed of your joy by people, circumstances? Do you know that you can have joy no matter what comes your way? Yes, JOY…no matter what! Sounds like some spiritual fantasy? Well, it is not. Paul in his letter to the Philippians, assures us that “joy no matter what” can be experienced if we would
understand and live this truth.
When Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, he was a prisoner of Rome for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. In spite of this, however, Paul uses the word “JOY” or “REJOICE” 16 times in this short and powerfully practical letter.
For instance, Paul declares:
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers,[e] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[of God] without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
proclaimed, and in that I rejoice (Philippians 1:12-18).
Can you believe that? Rejoicing while in prison? Now not all prisons are concrete cells with steel bars and doors. Some people feel imprisoned by circumstance or some seemingly impossible situation in life - an unhappy marriage, an overextended financial problem, a recurring sickness, or some other situation that make it hard for you to smile.
If you were in such a situation, would the joy of the Lord become your strength? The key to unlocking the door to this prison to having joy no matter what is found in the person of Jesus Christ (Christ is mentioned at least 36 times in this letter) and an attitude that is submissive to His will.
Paul’s joy was not centered in his freedom from prison. Instead, his joy centered on the person of Jesus Christ. Christ was His life! So it did not matter at all to him what his circumstance was. Note the desire of his life:
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:19-21).
Paul’s heart and mind was set on one thing: God’s will for him. So whatever God wanted to do with him was all right. You see, Paul knew that it was God, not man, who held the keys to his prison doors.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever you are going through now or whatever may come your way in the future, remember that in His sovereignty God has a purpose and because of this He is also in control. Let Christ be the focus and center of your life and let your mind be submitted to God. Then you will have joy.
There was once a gentleman going along a country road who met a man to whom he courteously wished “Good morning.”
The man replied, “I’ve never had a bad morning.”
The gentleman then said, “Then I wish you may always be fortunate.”
The man replied, “I was never unfortunate.”
The gentleman remarked, “Really?
Then I wish you may always be happy.”
The man replied, “Well, I am never unhappy.”
The gentleman was so curious about this man’s answer that he asked, “Could you please explain yourself to me?
“Sure!” the man said. “I never had a bad morning because every morning I praise God. Whether the weather be bright or stormy, I am still thankful to God. You wish that I might always be fortunate, but I cannot be unfortunate, for nothing befalls me but what is according to the will of God. And His will is always good, in whatever He does or permits to be done. You wished me to be always happy, but I cannot be unhappy while resigned to the will of God, and as long as His peace rules in my heart.”
Now isn’t that a man who had joy no matter what?
Pastor Gideon