Joy Challenge Video Devotional - Day 6: Pastor Kerry Shook
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“Whatever happens … rejoice in the Lord.”
Philippians 3:1a (NLT)
Joy is a choice. While happiness is circumstantial, joy is much deeper. Joy is not a feeling. It’s a focus. You get to choose the level of joy you experience. When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he was speaking from personal experience. He told them, “Whatever happens my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” Philippians 3:1 (NLT)
No one was more qualified to say this than Paul. Philippi was the city where he was wrongly accused, severely beaten, and falsely imprisoned. Following that experience, Paul would later endure two years of false imprisonment in Caesarea and two more years of imprisonment in Rome, not to mention when he was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. He was even awaiting his sentence while imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter of Philippians, unsure if he would be released or sentenced to death.
Despite such suffering, he writes this letter full of joy! In fact, the concept of rejoicing and joy appear sixteen times in four brief chapters, culminating with a challenge to: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
It makes you wonder if he was nuts! How is it possible to rejoice no matter what happens? Paul was living proof that, when your focus is knowing Christ, your heart can be filled with inexpressible joy even in the worst of circumstances. Happiness depends on what happens. It’s short-lived and hollow. We’ve all experienced the shallowness of laughter. It can even mask hidden hurts and deep pain. When you experience sorrow and suffering, you need more than laughter to lift your spirit. You need joy! The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)
Our strength and happiness come from the joy of knowing Jesus and His presence empowering us. Knowing Christ is the one thing that changes everything! It may not change the circumstance, but it changes you in the midst of the circumstance. You’re no longer living for this world or whatever it may offer. Your focus is on knowing Him and experiencing His life indwelling you. Your faith is in God. He is still on the throne and will never abandon you. You choose joy, not for what is happening but in the God who loves you and gave His Son for you, knowing that He alone writes the final chapter. What are you going through right now that threatens your joy? Let faith arise and make the choice to rejoice! Shift your focus from the circumstances to God and the feelings of joy will follow.
Printed copies of The Joy Challenge devotional are available at The Joy Challenge - Kerry Shook Ministries.