There are situations where the admonition to rejoice will be unnecessary. There is what the Psalmist described as the “joy of harvest”. When there is increase and breakthrough in any area of life, joy is spontaneous. However, when we are faced with difficulties, we may need some prodding to rejoice just as Paul did to the Philippians in our text. This exhortation marks the second time he would recommend this within two short chapters, having already said the same thing in Philippians 3:1 – “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” Paul was not a man who would dispense what he himself would not use. He wasn’t asking the people of Philippi to rejoice why he himself was sighing and sorrowing. In his opening words to the Philippians, he noted how he kept praying for the people  “with joy”. (Philippians 1:4).

Those who tie their joy to happenings of life will experience roller-coaster, because this life will continually go through changing fortune.

Keep in mind that he was in prison when he wrote this. Also, keep in mind that he was not a criminal, but an envoy of God. His only wrong was that he preached the gospel. How could such a man still be joyful and recommend same for others? Like Joseph in the Book of Genesis, Paul’s disposition teaches us that we cannot tie our joy to what happens. The Christian’s joy should not be like a short in the arm, feeling high and good for a while, and becoming miserable again when the effect wears out. I call the Christian joy the perfect joy because it is not tied to material gain or absence of trouble. Our joy is in hope of eternal life which Christ has made available. Those who tie their joy to happenings of life will experience roller-coaster, because this life will continually go through changing fortune. This is why we need to fix our gaze on the Lord at all times.