Two Little Words

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – Rejoice evermore.

Truth has the power to bring great change to our lives, and one reason that it is so powerful is that it never changes to suit any person or circumstance. The truth is unchangeable; it is us that must change; it is situations that must conform to the truth. Tucked away in this fascinating letter from Paul, are two little words of vast importance: rejoice evermore. Two words. This is a great place to start if you think you can never memorize Bible verses. What would happen if we put into regular practise these two words; rejoice evermore? How would our lives change?

Someone has once said that when you run out of ammunition, it’s time to re-load, when you run out of gasoline, it’s time to re-fill, and when you run out of joy, it’s time to re-joice. When we think of rejoicing, we usually picture one who may be celebrating a huge victory or one who just had something unexpected and great happen, and they are running around shouting for joy. As true as these two examples might be, the original word for rejoice also includes the idea of being calmly happy. If a tree is rooted near a water source, it is constantly tapped into life-giving moisture, and it remains unaffected during a hot, arid season. So, we too, no matter what is happening all around us, can have a hidden current of joy, calmly flowing, deep within us. That means that we could be at work, under intense pressure and deadlines, and yet, remain calmly happy. We could be facing a financial crisis, not knowing where the next dollar is coming from, and yet, be calm, cool and collected. Truly, the joy of the Lord is our strength.

While it is important to rejoice and be happy, it is also very important that we are considerate and sensitive to other people and what they are going through. If someone has just lost a loved one, for example, it is not appropriate to tell them to rejoice. No! That is the time to follow God’s other instructions; to weep with them that weep. Show sympathy and compassion. Give people time and space to grieve and process their loss. This command from God to rejoice is addressed to the individual alone; we are not called to insist that others rejoice, we are called to make our own choice to rejoice, and to make it our own personal habit.

When are we to rejoice? Underneath the English word, evermore, is a Greek word that literally means, every when. When are we to rejoice? Every when. When things are not going well. When you are feeling heavy and depressed. When adversity and troubles seem to be piling up all around you. When sickness attacks your body. When you have lost your job and your savings account has dried up. When your long-time friend has decided to disown you. That is when we are to rejoice. Every when.

If I am rejoicing, then I cannot be, simultaneously, complaining about anything. If I practise this truth, then I cannot, at the same time, be worried and full of fear. Rejoicing displaces self-centered grumbling, it casts out all fear, and it fills the heart with peace. If we are going to remain calmly happy, especially in the middle of a crisis, it is necessary to know the reason why we can stay calm. God, our gracious Father is with us and He always desires the best for His children. He is watching over us every moment. He has a wise and loving Father’s plan and it will come to pass. He has purchased us, and we are heirs to His great fortune. We have a lot to be thankful for. I encourage you, friends, join me, and begin to practise this daily, and as we do, fear and anxiety will be locked out and we will experience a new level of freedom and a fresh sense of fulfillment. Rejoice evermore!