3 Verses to Live by in 2010 – Part 1/3
During the last couple of months, a few verses of Scripture have popped up in my head a number of times--so much so that I can't count them as coincidence given the fact that they have been mentioned by others as well in different contexts.
The first rolls over from 2009 into 2010, and though December 31st was pretty much the same as January 1st, mentally it gives me an opportunity to reorganize some things in my head with the new year.
I was reading this passage from Romans in preparation for a message to give on Christmas Eve, but I like this one better:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
I love it because it means three things for us to heed:
1. Rejoice... Do it! - It's not just a suggestion or a wise saying, it's a command. You've got to rejoice in something or else the sin darkness of this world is just going to pull you down. Don't depend on circumstances to give you reason to rejoice, do it, and make it happen inasmuch as it is in your power to do so!
2. Rejoice... in God! - But you've got to root your confidence in something. Many times people put their confidence in their circumstances, their possessions, or other people. When circumstances are not under our control, when possessions cease to please, or when people fail us (it's not a matter of if, but when they do and they surely will because I know I've failed myself and others countless times) it's hard to find reason to rejoice. There is only one unfailing hope and reason for our joy--God.
3. Rejoice... because you can! - The Bible says it again, rejoice! It's not about inner-strength, not about self-esteem, but when you trust in God you can be sure that just as He tells the sun to rise and fall again and again, He can make all things new again.
