Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV

A fairly well known verse I’m thinking, as I would have recognized it even as a scripturally illiterate 20 year old. Why? Because I heard it in song many times as I sat in the pews of St. Vincent DePaul Church as a kid. Guess that kind of testifies to the power and influence of music in our lives; especially music employed in the praise and worship of God.

Today’s verse is a short one liner, packed with a disproportionately large meaning. A common trait found within scripture, as you could spend a lot of time picking apart a single verse or chapter.

Take yesterday as I was driving home. As is often the case, I reach my limit for political wrangle and/or just plain old bad news piping in via the airwaves. So I go to 94.1, local KLOVE station, where I can find good news. Good news of the Gospel in song. “Gospel” literally means good news, and so it is.

If there seems too much bad news around us, we can find refuge in He whom is good. We can rejoice in that option, find peace and escape our exhaustion. Cast our cares upon Him.

Rejoice that He has provided us an outlet to escape; to find comfort.