December 17, 2024

Today's Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 33:1-24; Revelation 5:1-14

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

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Somehow, “rejoice” has come to mean “put on a happy face” to Christians today—especially this time of year. But when everyone else is happy, sad feels just that much sadder. Loss feels that much sharper, and calls to rejoice when you’d rather just cry make one of two things feel fake: either you for pretending for the sake of piety or the religion for not being able to lift your spirits.  

I could tell you joy isn’t the same as happiness. Joy is a deeper contentment, while happiness is a surface-level elation. That’s true, but even joy seems to run dry sometimes. It’s almost always because of which word we focus on. I wonder if the most important word isn’t “in.” Rejoicing endures all things only in the Lord. And for that to happen, He has to show up. We can rejoice always because God advents. The Lord is at hand. He who guards us from sin, death, and the devil is so near He surrounds us. We are in Him. 

Hear this. Because anxiety isn’t something we can shut off. It’s a brain that can’t stop thinking. So, Paul gives us something to think about. Christ advents to save sinners. Even now. You are baptized. You have put on Christ. His death. His resurrection. His victory for all who believe. You wear that now. That doesn’t mean “pretend to be happy all the time.” It doesn’t mean “shut your brain off whenever anything bad enters it.” It means that when you feel anxious or low, sad or depressed, hear the promises of the God who draws near to you and find comfort. When you can’t shut your brain off, hear the gospel so it can focus instead on the promises of Christ. They drive us to reasonableness. Not just being levelheaded, but thinking about our problems in light of Christ’s victory. Even death can’t overwhelm you now. Jesus will just raise you up again. So whatever else that’s ripped joy from you, is it bigger than death? Be reasonable. God is here to wipe every tear from your eye. Your heart is guarded by Christ Jesus.  

It drives us to prayer. Let your requests be made known to the God who does not abandon you down here. He draws near to save. He might not give you everything you want, but in Him, nothing can be taken from you that His victory does not restore one hundredfold.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

By grace! On this I'll rest when dying; In Jesus' promise I rejoice; For though I know my heart's condition, I also know my Savior's voice. My heart is glad, all grief has flown Since I am saved by grace alone (LSB 566:6)

-Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.