Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

Rejoicing always As we study the subject of God's will, we now come to a trio of exhortations in the book of 1 Thessalonians, each of which is identified as being "the will of God in Christ Jesus" for us. The first of this tremendous trio is to always rejoice. It is God's will that we continually rejoice. When we hear that, there's an instinctive reaction in us. "How can God expect me to always be joyful? Has He noticed what life on Planet Earth is like lately?" Actually, God is more familiar with life on earth than we are. He sees and knows everything that has ever taken place on this planet. God isn't oblivious to the hardships, hassles, and horrors of life. Nor does He ask or expect us to be happy about them. Happiness isn't what He wants here; it's rejoicing. What's the difference? Happiness is something that stems from surrounding circumstances. Somebody surprises us with a gift and it produces happiness. But just as quickly as the happiness comes, it can go if the gift is something that doesn't fit or work. Rejoicing is different. It isn't based on shifting circumstances but rather on something that will never change no matter what. And that something is the historical fact that God stepped into time, intervened into our sinful condition, and died in our place. Instead of receiving sin's wages of death, we receive God's gift of eternal life. That is the tap root for "rejoicing always." Nothing will ever alter or undo what God has done for us, and no amount of earthly trouble or trial can diminish or lessen this reason to rejoice always. As we study the subject of God's will, we now come to a trio of exhortations in the book of 1 Thessalonians, each of which is identified as being "the will of God in Christ Jesus" for us. The first of this tremendous trio is to always rejoice. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?