Rejoice By Choice At All Times

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 (KJV)

Rejoice in Greek is chairo, meaning to be cheerful, calm, happy, glad, well, or well off. According to Merriam-Webster, it means to enjoy. On what grounds do we rejoice in the Lord? We rejoice based on who God is, what He has done for us, His incarnation, His power, His presence, and His triumph over the enemy. We rejoice because of our salvation, our liberty in Christ, and our rewards. Other reasons to rejoice include, fellow believers, the harvest, the manifestation of His grace, and even suffering for Christ because God will work good out of it.

This word rejoice calls for a continual, habitual action. In other words, be filled with joy as a constant state because of your relationship with Christ.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (New Living Translation, NLT)

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)

Our joy is based on the Lord, not on our circumstances, because they change. Our joy remains the same because God is always the same. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It grows as we exercise it. It is supernatural and not a work of the flesh. We rejoice by choice in all things at all times. We can rejoice even when life is hard and even when we’ve been hurt. We rejoice by faith in who God is and in His written Word. Joy based on who the Lord is and who we are in Him can’t be easily shaken. The joy of the Lord is stronger than any negative thought, feeling, situation or experience. Sin can steal joy, but repentance will restore it (Psalm 51).

Jesus spoke of joy in the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5-7. He used the word blessed, which includes joy, happiness, and gladness. It speaks of a state of favor for the believer because of Christ. Joy and blessing come from God. The more we are filled with God’s Word and Spirit, the fuller our rejoicing can be.

For the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)

As we praise God, we can call back any lost joy and renew our strength. Joy is found in our relationship with Christ, and nothing and no one can take that away. So, as believers in Him, we have reason to rejoice in the Lord again and again. As we remain in Him and His presence, our joy is full.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 (KJV) emphasis mine