Rejoicing in the Spirit: read Philippians 4
"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." - Luke 10:21
In Luke 10, Jesus sent out seventy disciples in pairs to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. When the disciples returned from their mission, they joyfully told Jesus that even the devils were subject to them through His name. Jesus responded by rejoicing in the spirit and thanking the Father.
Today's Bible reading tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord Alway." What are appropriate ways to express Christian joy? Children may jump up and down excitedly when they hear that their grandparents are coming for a visit or that they will go shopping with Mother. But maturing Christians have put away childish things, and their responses mirror that fact.
In today's key verse, Jesus showed us by example that offering a prayer of thanksgiving is a proper response of Christian joy. This can be done silently or audibly. We learn from James 5:13 that if we are merry, singing is a good way to express this feeling. It is through the goodness of God that Christian joy is possible in the first place. Why not express it in prayer and praise?
Nehemiah made this notable statement in Nehemiah 8:10: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength." Having strength makes us feel like tackling the task at hand. so Christian joy finds an outlet in cheerfully doing the duties God assigns us. It takes the boredom out of Christian service and infuses us with spiritual vigor and inspiration. Jesus spoke two times of His disciples' joy being full (John 15:11, 16:24). If our joy is full, we should express it in ways that glorify God and bring blessing to others and ourselves.
Dennis Martin - Smithville, TN
Rejoicing in the spirit will be a reality in Heaven too!
