Irrepressible Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Philippians 4:4

A few months ago, a gentle and sweet video began making the rounds on social media. It featured a children’s choir, a familiar sight in many churches. What captured everyone’s attention in this one, however, was a little girl dressed in pink and brown, who had never quite gotten the hang of standing still while singing about the Lord. She tapped her fingers, clapped, bounced, twisted and nodded her head, all in rhythm with the song, “Old Church Choir.” She couldn’t stop grinning.

What made this video go viral was her irrepressible joy for the Lord.

Paul had this same joy, which he expresses several times in his letter to the Philippians. In fact, he uses the word “rejoice” seven times in this short letter and the phrase “rejoice in the Lord” three times (Philippians 3:1; 4:4; 4:10). His words—and a little girl’s enthusiastic singing—remind us that the true source of gladness, the foundation for pure happiness, is in a close relationship with Jesus Christ. When we love the Lord with our entire being, we will not be able to repress it. When we acknowledge what He has done for us as well as in us, the joy should burst from us every day in praise and adoration.

Today’s One Thing

Pick a favorite song and sing it at the top of your lungs.

Receive Devotionals like This in Your Email