Rejoice in the Lord always!

How can someone achieve having permanent joy in the heart? Is that even possible? Yes, it is. Otherwise, God would not ask us to do so. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul says, "Rejoice always" (1 Thess. 5:16). And in Philippians 4, he writes from prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4).

This exhortation makes one thing very clear: Joy is not simply an emotional reaction to something beautiful that one experiences. True joy, which is connected to Christ, has to do with a decision. You can consciously choose to rejoice in the Lord at all times. Every day, anew!

George Müller, the "Father of the Orphans" from Bristol, who experienced much with God, once said something that touched me deeply:

"In my opinion, the most important point to be observed is this: Above all else, see to it that your soul is happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the work of the Lord may even demand your attention urgently, but I repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek, above all things, to have your soul truly delighted in God Himself! Try to make this the most important business of your life every day."

Is this how we start our day? Do we make the conscious decision in the early morning that, no matter what happens, we will rejoice in the Lord today? I believe that this would change a lot in our lives. It would give us an entirely new direction for the day! 

J.P.S.