Spend your first 5 minutes with God

Today’s Teaching

What It Really Means To Rejoice

Kayla Ferris

Day: 25 | Plan: 40 Days Through the New Testament

Start Here: Philippians 4:4

Key Verse: Philippians 4:4 (ESV) "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."

Major Moment: Paul reminded believers to rejoice in the Lord.

Perhaps you have heard about "the peace of God, which surpasses understanding" (Philippians 4:7). It means as Christians, we can experience an indescribable peace within us, even though circumstances on the outside are anything but peaceful. Yet did you know the Bible also talks about "joy that is inexpressible" (1 Peter 1:8)? Today's key verse has a lot to teach us about this joy in Christ and what exactly it entails.

First, biblical joy does not mean simply being happy or telling ourselves to cheer up. We know this in part because Philippians 4:4 says to "rejoice in the Lord always" ... and no one in this world is always happy. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth, so we know His rejoicing is also perfect, and even "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).

Still, we may think to ourselves that surely Philippians 4:4 doesn't mean for us to rejoice through suffering. Yet Paul wrote this verse to a church in Philippi that was facing extreme persecution. In fact, he personally experienced hardships when he was there, saying he "suffered and [had] been shamefully treated at Philippi" (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Not only that, but Paul was writing this letter to the Philippian church while he was in prison for preaching the gospel. If he wrote it during his imprisonment in Rome, as some scholars believe, his prison sentence would soon end in the death penalty. But even in the middle of all of this adversity, Paul still repeated, "Again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

It is through suffering that true joy shines brightest.

1 Peter 1:6 also helps us understand how this is possible: "In this you rejoice, though now ... you have been grieved by various trials" (emphasis added). What is "this" that brings us joy even in grief? It's the "living hope" of "an inheritance that is imperishable" (1 Peter 1:3-4). Because we have the hope of eternity with Jesus, we can choose to rejoice in every temporary situation in our lives ... even in the face of death.

The world will not understand this. We ourselves might find it hard to explain. But as Christ followers, we can look hardship in the eyes and say, "Because Jesus holds my eternity, I will rejoice in God, even in this moment."

We aren't pretending we are always happy. This isn't blind optimism or denial of pain. It is a declaration over our lives that God is good, and because of that, we are going to be OK ... if not today, then in eternity (Romans 5:3-5; Matthew 5:11-12). This is what it really means to rejoice.

Therefore, till Christ returns or brings us home, let's tell our souls no matter what: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, I rejoice in You today. Thank You for giving me eternity with You. Nothing can take that away. Because of that, I choose to rejoice even in this moment, even in this pain. I know it might not make sense to the world, but I trust that Your joy will be my strength and shield. In Jesus' name, amen.

If today’s Encouragement for Today Devotions and First 5 collaboration met you right where you are, we want you to know something beautiful: God is speaking to women all over the world through Proverbs 31 Ministries in this very same way. Through biblical teachings … through daily devotions … through hope-filled conversations … He keeps meeting women in the middle of their real lives with the Truth they need for the moment they’re in. The Therapy & Theology podcast is another way this happens. It goes deeper into the kinds of questions and emotions many of us carry quietly — offering steady, Scripture-rooted wisdom when life feels overwhelming or unclear. One listener told us, “This helped me experience God’s Word in a way that changed how I walked through my hardest season.” If God has used these resources to encourage you, you can give today to help even more women encounter His Truth in their most desperate and uncertain moments.