Filled with Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”—Philippians 4:4 NASB

Christians who opposed the Church of England faced persecution in the 1700s. Pondering their plight, Charles Wesley believed they should respond by filling their lives with joy, not with fear or anxiety.

With Paul’s letter to the Philippians as inspiration, Wesley wrote the hymn, “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.” He reminded believers of the importance of rejoicing. Even through trials, they could rejoice because Jesus was King! They could “rejoice, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore.”

We can rejoice because Jesus reigns, “His Kingdom cannot fail,” and He rules over earth and Heaven. “He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit, and bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet.” He has defeated every foe and given His people pure joy.

Because of the Gospel, we can “rejoice in glorious hope!” Jesus will come again and take us to our eternal home. In his powerful refrain, Wesley reinforced this message by declaring we could lift our hearts and voices: “Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!”

Don’t allow anything to keep you from experiencing the joy of the Lord. As Wesley reminded us, we can rejoice in Him in every situation! No matter what others say, Jesus is Lord. He rules over the nations. He will accomplish His purposes. He loved you so much that He died for you so that you might be forgiven and spend eternity with Him.

Rejoice!

Reflection Question: Have you ever faced ridicule for your beliefs?