Our Power to Rejoice
The Lord is Near
Key Verse: Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
This week we must move beyond just our persistence to rejoice to our power rejoice! Persistence only makes sense if it is backed up with power. We will be looking at the many aspects of this power, but today’s printed key verse contains that overall foundation: The Lord is near.
Next time you catch yourself fretting over an issue in your life, just say those four words—the Lord is near. That simple reminder will calm your fears and reduce your fretting. Worry and anxiety are all about a thought that we are facing problems without help. They grow in the mix of being powerless and uncared for. Worry is promoted by any thoughts that God can’t or won’t be there for us. All of these are lies of the devil. The Lord is near!
Unfortunately knowing something to be a lie and finding peace don’t automatically go together. We must act upon our knowledge that these lies are from the evil one. We must “call them out” and face them with biblical truth. We must take these thoughts of the devil captive so God’s truth can run freely through our minds. Today, every time a thought that would cause you anxiety comes, rebuke it by quoting these four words: The Lord is near! Keep repeating it until the devil (and his lies) flees. Remember, “Resist the devil and he will flee,” is a promise from God’s Word!
Father, I claim your power to rejoice. I will not allow the devil to rob me of that right! I will remember that you are near! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.