A MAN IN JAIL STILL ADMONISHED PEOPLE TO REJOICE (Thursday, 29th October 2026)
Text for Today: Philip. 4:1-13 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice.” (vs. 4).
If you ask ten people to tell you their views of life, you will hear different things from different angles. For many of us, life is hard and quite challenging, while some are somehow privileged to be born into affluence, yet they have their own share of issues of life. To some of us, our daily circumstances seem to conspire to rob us of our joy. Maybe you’re stuck in a job that you do not like and doesn’t pay enough to cover your bills. Maybe you’re in a difficult marriage or have a strained relationship with a family member. Maybe you’re trying to follow Jesus, but the people around you make fun of you for being so “religious.” Or maybe you’re struggling with a health problem that makes it difficult to do even the most basic everyday activities.
In the midst of these realities, experiencing constant, deep, and long-lasting joy can seem unattainable. But the Bible repeatedly talks about experiencing a kind of joy that transcends our circumstances. But how is that possible? Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians that is saturated with joy. Sixteen times in just four chapters Paul uses words like rejoice or joy to describe what our state of mind or general attitude should be as Christians. And he wrote this joy-soaked letter in the midst of his own difficult circumstances. He was under house arrest in Rome, living in a rented apartment (at his own expense!) chained to a different Roman soldier every few hours, yet he admonished people to REJOICE.
You are a Champion!
Further Study: 1 Thess. 5:1-16.
Covenant Prayers
- Father, I thank you for your joy which is my strength.
- Every plot of the devil to kill my joy shall fail.
- I receive grace and enablement to rejoice always.
- Father, do for me today that which will cause me to celebrate.
QUOTE: “IF YOU DON’T PROMOTE JOY IN YOUR HEART, THE DEVIL WILL TIE YOU TO THE SAME SPOT.”
