When we rejoice

I wrote last week about how we are commanded to rejoice.

We see it again in this passage.

And as I read it, it made me think, “What happens when we rejoice?”

First and foremost, it gets our eyes on Jesus and all the good that we have in him.

The result?

It helps us be more gracious to those who are hard to get along with. (Philippians 4:1-3, 5)

It reminds us that the Lord is near. (4)

It takes away anxiety in our lives and reminds us that God is worthy of our trust. (5-6)

It gives us peace. (7)

So as Paul said, let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us rejoice in the Lord who is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. (8)

Or as David put it,

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)