Not Grievous

Philippians 3:¹ “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” (emphasis added).

The Word of God is so ageless, timeless, and accurate from generation to generation. God knows that life’s challenges are rife, and we will face them even in our own time. And He is saying whatever happens, regardless of what the economic situation is. Whatever happens, regardless of what the global situation is. Whatever happens, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. Listen, that takes a lot of courage. It takes courage to be thankful, courage to rejoice, courage to stay joyful whatever happens. Paul was saying in today’s scripture reference that he never gets tired of telling us these things. In other words, Paul was saying he keeps encouraging us to be thankful, joyful, and grateful.

Paul probably was feeling the way some of us Pastors feel sometimes when we say, “I hope I am not sounding like a broken record”. The King James Version puts it this way, “To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” (emphasis added). You need to hear over and over again that you should be joyful and thankful because it will safeguard your faith. We should consistently and repeatedly hear certain truths of the Word of God. I never get tired of telling you these things, Paul says, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Particularly at this time of the year, when a lot of us are under a lot of pressure.

But the Word of God says to us in Philippians 4:⁴ “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” So, you probably are saying, “Pastor, how can I be full of joy when the economy is not good? How can I be full of joy in tough times? How can I be full of joy?” How can the Word of God be saying we should be full of joy? Pastor, is it even possible to always be joyful no matter what the circumstance is? Is it even practical?” God is saying to you today, “Yes, it is both practical and possible.” We are going to see, from the Word of God, that it takes courage to be thankful in tough times. It is easier said than done, but it is possible to be done.

I pray for you in the Name of Jesus, that God will give you that courage, that insight to be thankful regardless of the situation that you are facing. I pray that God will empower you to be thankful regardless of the situation in the Name of Jesus. I want to challenge you to make this month your month of thanksgiving, where you devote time to just thanking God daily. Thank Him for all the months that have passed, and thank Him for the months that are ahead of you. Thank God for all that He will yet do in your life and situation.

Prayer (song): My hallelujah belongs to You (x4). You deserve it (x5). Amen!