Rejoice
Php 4:4,5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
There is good reason to be glad, despite the difficulties of this life, in view of our destiny, having been saved from the wrath of God, our names being written in the book of life. "Gentleness" here is a peaceful humble attitude, one which is not quarrelsome or harsh. It is the kind of meek cooperative attitude which Paul hopes to invoke between Euodia and Syntyche, among others. Xrefs to "gentleness": Titus 3:2; 1Peter 2:18 Rejoicing in the midst of tribulations is contingent upon such an attitude of gentleness. But even if one is discouraged, you can be encouraged by the fact that, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18 So "though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Hab 3:17,18
Php 4:4,5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
There is good reason to be glad, despite the difficulties of this life, in view of our destiny, having been saved from the wrath of God, our names being written in the book of life. "Gentleness" here is a peaceful humble attitude, one which is not quarrelsome or harsh. It is the kind of meek cooperative attitude which Paul hopes to invoke between Euodia and Syntyche, among others. Xrefs to "gentleness": Titus 3:2; 1Peter 2:18 Rejoicing in the midst of tribulations is contingent upon such an attitude of gentleness. But even if one is discouraged, you can be encouraged by the fact that, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18 So "though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Hab 3:17,18
