Sometimes we read the bible and make it so difficult to understand. We read it quickly to say we read it, or we just read it dutifully instead of stopping to meditate and think about what we are reading. As a result we sometimes miss the message entirely. One day several years ago as I was sunk deep down in my circumstances, I happened to think about a verse in Philippians that told me to rejoice. My response was immediately "whatever is there to rejoice about" (thinking about the current circumstance I was facing). Then the Holy Spirit again reminded me of the verse and the context of Philippians. Paul was in prison when he wrote the book yet the message throughout is one of rejoicing. I stopped on Philippians 4:4 and thought about it again. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice". For many years I would think of that verse and try very hard to find something in my circumstances to rejoice about. That was very hard for me to do. Until this one day when I saw those little words "in the Lord". It didn't tell me to rejoice in my circumstance. It told me to "rejoice IN THE LORD". Why, that changed the message of the verse entirely. I have never read that verse the same. Paul never tried to find joy in his circumstance. Rejoice is a key word in the book of Philippians because Paul continually kept his focus on the Lord and who He was. Therein he saw the reason to rejoice. As he continually pointed people to the Lord Jesus Christ and maintained his attitude of rejoicing, even though in prison, he instructs us to do the same. Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, THESE DO, and the God of peace will be with you. Wow, thank the Lord today for all we can learn in the words of Paul. By the way, don't forget to stop by my recipe page. I have posted one of our summer favorites!
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