3 Reasons to Rejoice

Last updated on: December 30, 2019 at 5:00 am by Mark Driscoll

3 Reasons to Rejoice 2019-12-22T13:32:15-05:00 Mark Driscoll

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Philippians 2:12-13 – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The holiday season is an overwhelming time for most people. Studies indicate that the pressures of travel, increased spending, holiday parties, crushing year-end workload, packed stores, strained family relationships, and weight gain cause increased stress and fatigue.

Sometimes, when we are overwhelmed by juggling all the balls that life throws at us, it can be helpful to gain perspective by paying attention to what others are juggling. For example, in our study of Philippians we have found that Paul is writing about joy while in prison. The hand he uses to write about joy and rejoicing is chained to a Roman soldier. In the section above, Paul gives us three reasons to rejoice:

God is for you. In calling Christians “beloved” and the “children of God” whom the Father loves and serves for “his good pleasure”, one thing is clear – God is for you and has good for you – things for which you should rejoice.
God lives in you. In saying, “God…works in you, both to will and to work”, Paul is giving us the joyful wonder of the Christian life – everything God created and commands us to be and do He helps us to become. God works at our deepest levels. In the Old Testament, this is referred to as a new heart (Jer. 24:7; Ezek. 36:26-27). In the New Testament, this is referred to as regeneration or new birth (John 3; Eph. 2:1; 2:5; Col. 2:13). Practically, this means that you are new if you belong to Jesus Christ. This new you is not a perfect you, but a new you that God is bringing through a process of growth and life that ends in perfection. New You. Not perfect, but new & in a perfecting process.
God partners with you. Because God is for you, and in you, you can be a person who obeys and is able to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. God works things in you, that you work out with Him.

No matter what we are experiencing, these three things can be reasons to rejoice since they are grounded and guarded by God and more secure than anything in this life.

What is God working in you that you need to work out with Him (e.g. forgiving someone, learning the Bible, growing in prayer, freedom in worship, generosity in giving, etc.)?

Daily Devotions

Previous Post

December 24, 2019

7 Reasons for Christians to be Cheerful

Next Post

December 30, 2019 How can you honor bad parents?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ask Pastor Mark Blog Daily Devotions Sermons Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 October 2018 September 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 December 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the collective name of the stories Jesus told?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prayers Psalms Parables Proverbs