The Joyful Mysteries!

“Rejoice evermore.”1 Thessalonians 5:16

I have a lecturer who always smiles, and his facial expression speaks kindness at all times. And when he teaches, we feel so receptive to ask questions and make suggestions with less fear. I would believe that his life might not be as perfect as his appearance, but one could always feel the joy in his heart at all times. Even when he sees you frown or sad, he could hit you softly and encouragingly make some jokes.

The joy that flows in our hearts reveals appreciation in God and dependence on Him. Jesus didn’t leave any sorrow behind; he overcame all, and once we have Jesus, we have peace (John 16:33). Any deviation from being joyful only shows our disbelief in Christ. The text above sounds more like an instruction, “always rejoice!” This means we are obligated to be joyful at all times, even when we are faced with issues of life.

Of course, challenges and eventualities are inevitable, but the instruction says, “Rejoice evermore.” Not rejoice now, or for a few minutes. At all times. This is one of the focuses of the devil, to ensure that the written word of God doesn’t work for us, and that is why we must be guarded. Our joy doesn’t come from any other source except Jesus.

We are joyful because we have Christ not because the devil distracts us with calamities. And whenever we confront our fears with joy, our faith rises to challenge our fears. Do not allow unnecessary trick of the devil to steal your blessings in Christ, rejoice evermore. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Prayer:
Lord, I pray that your spirit comforts me at all times. Let me always walk with your presence and joy.