In All and Through All- Joy!

My weekend devotional from Journey Magazine (Lifeway Press, 2019 July) focused on a familiar passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

These verses are included as part of the final instruction Paul gives as he closes his first letter to the church at Thessalonica. The ESV study Bible notates this section of scripture, 4:12-22, as final instructions as to how the body of believers there should conduct themselves in life and relationships.

If you take time to read the entire passage, you immediately see it is a tall order, not for the faint of heart. It speaks to showing respect for spiritual leaders and living in peace with each other. It relays the importance of being intentionally involved in the lives of others- warning the idle, encouraging those who are uncertain, and helping those who lack strength. The hardest part seems to require patience- with everyone!

On this day of devotion, it’s the next set of verses that gets my attention. They tie in closely with what I’m studying in Philippians. These verses speak to being joyful– always; praying continually- always; giving thanks in all circumstances- always.

How many times do I get focused on circumstances that are hard or that I don’t understand, and I find myself asking God- What is your will in this? What could be your purpose in this? I complain instead of being full of joy. I come up with a plan instead of prayer. I grumble instead of counting blessings. I see how prone I am to miss the mark of Christ in my conduct in life and in relationships-

For this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus- to be joyful, to pray continually, and to give thanks in- any and all circumstances.

And this is not just Paul’s word of instruction or his best idea for these people so that they will be more upbeat, positive, lovers of life. This was Paul’s way of obedient life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and it’s where we find him as we read through the first chapter of Philippians.

Paul is in prison, confined by actual and literal chains because he has surrendered his life for the cause of Christ- the gospel! He has dedicated and given every fiber of his being to defending and confirming the gospel. (Philippians 1:7) The gospel of Jesus Christ is repeated over and over in this chapter- it is Paul’s heart and mission, the very purpose of his existence.

So he is able to say with joy that even this circumstance of imprisonment is giving him reason to rejoice because it is helping to advance the gospel: to the palace guard from his own personal testimony and beyond as fellow believers are now preaching more boldly because of what has happened to him. Paul is even glad for those who are preaching with wrong motives- to cause him strife- because they are serving to advance the good news of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:12-18)

He says he will continue to rejoice because he is confident of his deliverance- whether it be in the body with freedom and fruitful ministry or whether it be in death which will bring him immediately to be present with Christ. For Paul, both life and death lead to lifting up the name of Jesus;  this is his joy! (Philippians 1:18-26)

Paul identifies two things that will continue to fuel his confidence and joy in his ultimate deliverance:

-Through your prayers (the believers in Thessalonica) and
-The help given by the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 1:19)

We cannot underestimate the importance of intercessory prayer for fellow believers and  the powerful work of the Holy Spirit which enable us to stand and choose obedience- to choose joy, prayer, and gratitude, regardless of our circumstance.

So I’m left with a challenge today to follow Paul’s instruction in the the closing words of Philippians 1-

“Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way . . .”
(27-28)

To stand firm in life situations that I don’t prefer . . . the ones that are hard . . . the ones that haven’t worked out yet– still unanswered . . . through the unknowns and anxious worries and thoughts and concerns of daily life here in this world . . . even with pain and hurt and hard questions . . . disappointments and irritations.

I’ve got a list, and some days it seems it’s getting longer. You do as well.

It’s time for God’s will to come- even to these places. So would you join me in taking Paul’s example and his words to heart? Add a new PIC and ask God for help to obey Him even here.

In all and through all– joy, prayer, and thanksgiving to one who is worthy to be exalted!