Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Philippians 4:10 is the personal testimony of Paul. Usually, the Apostle supported himself by working as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). However, he was now in prison and could not work. Prisoners in the Roman Empire were responsible for their own care; usually family and friends supplied food, clothing, medicine, and other necessities. Paul, in Rome, was far from home, but the Philippian believers had provided financially for him. He wanted them to know that Epaphroditus had faithfully delivered their gift to him (verse 18) and that through them his needs had been met. Paul finds joy in God’s provision for him; his joy includes those whom God used in this way. Has someone helped you recently? Rejoice “in the Lord,” and let your helper(s) know how grateful you are.