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It’s Tuesday; the day after the extent of the shooting in Nova Scotia has become somewhat clearer; the day after Oil Prices went into negative numbers; the day after news became clearer of a significant outbreak of COVID 19 in a meat packing plant in southern AB; the day after we received news of one of our seniors passing away; the day after we heard of some in our church family with loved ones who have tested positive for COVID 19.

And Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.” Really? Yet a closer examination of the verse reveals the wisdom and possibility behind this verse. It does not say, “Rejoice in the circumstances of your life.” It does not say, “Rejoice that things are going well.” It does not say “Rejoice by repeating the mantra ‘everything will be okay.’” It does not say with insensitivity “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Rejoice in the LORD always. Rejoice that you have a Lord who will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Rejoice that someone brought the Gospel to you and your salvation is secure (John 10:28). Rejoice that no matter what happens, nothing can take the Lord from you. Rejoice that Jesus was tempted in every way like we are yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). So rejoice that we have a high priest (Jesus) who sympathizes with our weakness.

Rejoice that the Lord is Lord over the universe and all going on in our world right now. Rejoice that He is especially present and close to the broken-hearted in Nova Scotia (Psalm 34:18). Rejoice that there will be a Judgment Day and the shooter will not get away with this but will have to face Almighty God with what he has done (Revelation 20:12). Rejoice that in this oil producing province, the Lord knows what we need before we ask him (Matthew 6:8). Rejoice that “God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Rejoice that God can heal and bring restoration to those afflicted by the meat packing plant outbreak. Rejoice that our beloved senior is now with the Lord which is far better (Philippians 1:23). Rejoice that the Lord cares deeply about loved ones with COVID 19 and collects our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).

Rejoice in the world and our circumstances? No. Rejoice in the Lord always? Yes.