Rejoice When Your Sacrifice Strengthens Others
- You can rejoice when you pray for others.
- You can rejoice about what is good, even when everything is not perfect.
- You can rejoice when other people are in harmony with one another.
Let’s look at Philippians 2:17 and 18 — a passage that really shows the heart of Paul. It says:
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Paul was trying to encourage the church in Philippi with his gladness and rejoicing. He didn’t want them to be sad — he wanted them to be strong. You can take the same attitude yourself when you’re doing something for someone else. Whether you’re suffering like Paul was or becoming worn out by serving day after day, it can be an inconvenience, but it is important to remember that there is also great joy because others are being strengthened as a result of your sacrifice.
Rejoicing this way is really powerful. It shows complete selflessness to say, “I don’t want you to feel bad because I’m suffering. I want you to be glad that you’re getting what you need and that God is using me.”
Rejoice Even in Conflict
In previous devotions, we examined Philippians 4:4, and we’re going to study it again. But to review, let’s remind ourselves what was going on when Paul wrote this verse. In Philippians 4:2 and 3, Paul said, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”
Although there was an issue between these two women, Paul commanded the church torejoice. He even said it twice: “Rejoice…again I will say, rejoice!” He didn’t just tell them to rejoice for an hour or a day — no! Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always….” Paul knew that if the church members rejoiced, it would prevent them from getting unnecessarily caught up in their conflict.
In the midst of conflict, someone needs to stand up and be strong. Someone needs to be bold and encourage everyone to do the right thing. Don’t just embrace or pamper strife and envy! Instead of being caught up in the conflict, make the choice to rejoice — and this choice will help to encourage others to do the same.
When you make the decision to rejoice, you must commit to continue rejoicing no matter what — even if you have to keep reminding yourself of your decision. You can’t assume that just because you decided to rejoice once, you will automatically rejoice all the time. To change habitual behaviors, you must be persistent and intentional. You have to renew your mind and decide one day at a time to forgive, let go of envy and strife, and rejoice until it becomes part of your character. That is what Paul was referring to in Philippians 4:4.
What role do joy and rejoicing have in your life? How often do you choose to rejoice? The power of the Holy Spirit is inside you, and He is empowering you to choose joy. But deciding to rejoice is something you must choose to do again and again. When you do, you’re obeying God’s Word and inviting His power and presence to move mightily in your life.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, Lord, I already rejoiced once. In fact, I’ve done it 20 times. Regardless of how many times you have made this decision, decide to rejoice again because an incredible thing happens when you intentionally maintain an attitude of joyfulness — it enables you to break your old habits, making room for God to replace them by building godly character within your heart.
