Rejoice Always
A Command to Accept the Gift
This Is a Command
This is an odd concept to think about because, in our society, we have so deeply separated joy and connected it to happiness. While joy is an emotion, it is not merely an option for us as humans. God has created us for joy. The Westminster Catechism, in its first question, states that the chief end of man — or, more plainly, the purpose for which we exist — is to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever.” John Piper expands on this when he states, “We glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” We know this is true because we see it on a human level. For example, when I tell my wife, “I love you,” it means a lot to her, but she knows that love is real when it is expressed in genuine joy. If we are commanded to truly praise God and rejoice in Him, it must be done with sincerity. God, more than our spouses, children, family, or friends, knows when we are faking joy. He knows when we are sorrowful, lacking joy, or broken down by the world.
This command is not meant to be a weapon to beat up those who are struggling with depression. God forbid. He does not command us to rejoice in Him in order to suppress our pain, anxieties, and worries or simply put on a happy face. The Bible clearly teaches that we are not the source of our own joy; it is not something we can simply muster up within ourselves.
Joy is a Gift from the Lord
The Bible makes it clear that joy is a gift from the Lord. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” This fruit can only grow in the life of one who has the Holy Spirit. As Peter stated in his sermon at Pentecost, "And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’" (Acts 2:38).
How to Accept This Gift
Attention
Accepting a gift is not difficult; it simply requires attention. My boys are at an age where they love receiving gifts, but they are still learning the rhythms of gift-giving. Often, it takes a lot of pre-work on our part to help them realize that they are being given a gift. If they are distracted, they will ignore the box and its wrapping paper, or they may become more interested in the box itself and miss the gift inside. In the same way, we often miss the gifts God gives us because we are distracted by their wrappings. We focus so much on the situation or circumstances that we fail to see the gift in the moment. The Holy Spirit is given to us to enable us to endure the problems of this world.
Thought Battle
We must not only see the gifts but also ensure that our attention is focused on the right things. Paul tells us exactly what we are to focus on in order to accept this gift of joy:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
When we step back and think about the gifts placed in our lap, even in the midst of suffering, we can begin to see beyond the box and the wrapping and open the present of joy. This joy gives us light in the midst of the darkness in this world. Look for what is good. Look for what is commendable. Look for what is honorable. Look for what is worthy of praise. By opening your mind’s eye, you will find that joy comes — maybe not all at once, and maybe not always at the same intensity — but it will break through the darkness. Even the faintest light in the midst of darkness shines brightly. One small light in a room, after your eyes adjust, will eventually enable you to see the whole room by that light.