Bible Reading: 2 Chron. 5; Phil 4:1-12.
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4 (KJV)
Nehemiah 8:10c says the Joy of the Lord is your strength. This is so because anyone with joy will not bother about any challenge. The joy of the Lord comes with peace within that makes you overcome the various storms of life. Such Joy is what Paul enjoyed such that the tribulations and persecutions could not deter him from rejoicing in God.
Thus in spite of the ridicule and beating they had received, Paul and Silas still prayed and sang praises to the Lord. They were not dejected by the ridicule and beatings; rather they were joyous in the Lord and this gave them strength to pray and praise God. The bible says , of Paul and Silas, in Acts 16:22-23 (KJV): “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them . [23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:”
Praising God at such times can only come from the inner heart of someone with an unshakable faith in God. In this case, they sang praises such that other prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25-26 (KJV) says: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
Such joy commands the presence of God and it causes the Holy Spirit to move speedily as stated in Isaiah 65:24 (KJV): “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” This is why the bible says in Philippians 4:4 (KJV): “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” So when you are full of the Joy of the Lord, you receive strength of God, you overcome obstacles, God answers your prayers speedily, you win more souls for God and you become an overcomer.
Action Point: Pray to God for grace to rejoice in him always. Then look at any challenging situation facing you and read the bible on areas that address your issue. Subsequently, focus your heart on the goodness of God and rejoice in Him.
Brother Biodun Oyapero