Thoughts for the Day

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today, is the last day we look at Paul's letter to the Philippians - to those Christians from the Roman colony of Philippi, initially made up of retired soldiers and their families whom the Emperor Augustus had allowed to live there after they had supported him in a battle in 31 BC. St Paul was very fond of this group of christians who, although not wealthy, supported Paul and also poor Christians in Jerusalem with their money.

The words from Chapter 4 are very special to many people. The dictionary defines the word 'Rejoice' as to 'give joy' or to 'feel joy or great delight'. For instance, 'The people rejoiced in giving the King the freedom of their city', or 'We all rejoiced in our friend's good luck.' This is all very well, but what does it mean to 'Rejoice in the Lord'? Here are a few suggestions:

• We should feel joy that even though we sin, God will forgive us when we repent.
• We should feel joy that God sent His Son to be our Saviour to re-unite us to Himself.
• We should give joy to the Father by praising Him each day.

And we are promised that the peace of God will be with us each day.

Heavenly Father,
we rejoice that You are God.
May continue to praise You this and every day.
We rejoice in Your power and might;
we rejoice in Your love and support;
we rejoice in Your Son, our Lord;
and we rejoice because of Your presence in our life.
Amen.