Be Glad in the Lord

Scripture: Whatever happens, dear friends, be glad in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you this, and it is good for you to hear it again and again. Philippians 3:1

Observation: From this statement, Paul goes on to talk about how salvation comes from only faith in Jesus, and not from the legal compliance that the Jews and some Jewish teachers promote. However, this one sentence summarizes the proper relationship with the Lord ... be glad in him, whatever happens! Believers should be ...

-- Glad in the promise of salvation

-- Glad in the ease of obtaining that promise, by faith alone

-- Glad in the blessings of our daily lives

-- Glad in the love of God

-- Glad in the fellowship of other believers

-- Glad in times of strife for we remember the goodness of God

-- Glad in our mistakes for we have forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice

-- Glad in the beauty of the world and our ability to enjoy it

-- Glad that our value is not tied to material things

-- Glad in the joy we get from family, friends, and other things provided by God

-- Glad that the Lord is ALWAYS in control

Application: I have lately been frustrated and angry by the world ... by the situation surrounding the pandemic, the US election, and every element of society that is nothing but terrible news and angry yelling. I even yelled angrily at God yesterday when, for about the 10th time in less than five minutes, I saw a person alone in their car wearing a mask. I wondered why in the world God won't just address this issue, and remove the crazy and irrational fear that is hurting so many people.

I don't know the long-term results of all this, but I know my response to it. I will be glad in the Lord! I choose joy, gladness, comfort, amazement, and thankfulness as my attitudes. Maybe I don't get to understand, and I don't get to change anything, and I can't do everything and go everywhere I once could, but ... I can be glad in the Lord, whatever happens.

I wish to hear those words again and again.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer so wonderfully. It is true that you are my Lord, my God, my father, and my authority. But you are also my joy, my happiness, my hope, my wonderful experience. I seek your face, not to wonder or complain, but to celebrate, enjoy, and worship. Amen.