“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Philippians 4:4-5
After hearing a podcast on the science behind the human sensation of joy, I began to pay closer attention to things in my life that give me joy. I found they were all around me: the colors of autumn leaves, a strong cup of coffee, the chance to stretch my legs and walk my dog, to name a few. These things were already there, but it wasn’t until I paid attention that I took notice of them. Every day began to be marked by moments of joy.

Modern science has not suddenly cornered an understanding of true joy. The Apostle Paul was writing to the believers in the early church nearly 2,000 years ago, reminding them to rejoice. We can make lists that help us see the joy in nearly any circumstance of our lives. But Paul isn’t even asking us to do that. Instead, he urges us to rejoice in the One who gives joy to us. And he reminds us of something that will bring a deep, lasting, pure joy—the fact that the Lord is near.

Find the joy in what is already there. As a believer in Jesus, you’ll see that all your joy comes from Him.



Scripture Focus

Psalm 16

Insight

“Joyful, joyful, we adore You,/ God of glory, Lord of love;/Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,/ Op’ning to the sun above.” (Henry Van Dyke, 1907)

Bible In A Year

  • Isaiah 25-26
  • Psalm 83
  • Acts 3-4

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