March 24

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Phil 4:4 BSB

It’s good to rejoice in the Lord. Maybe your first effort didn’t feel effective. Keep going—keep taking the medicine of rejoicing. When you feel no joy, when there’s no spring or comfort in your heart, still rejoice, and count it all joy. Even when you face various trials, reckon it as joy and delight, and God will honor your trust. Do you think your Heavenly Father will allow you to carry the banner of His victory and joy into battle, only to stand back and let you be defeated? Never! The Holy Spirit will sustain you in your bold advance, filling your heart with gladness and praise, and you’ll find your soul refreshed by His joy.

Lord, teach me to rejoice in You, and to rejoice evermore.

The joy of the Lord is the strength of His people,
The sunshine that scatters their sadness and gloom;
The fountain that bursts in the desert of sorrow,
And brings to the wilderness gladness and bloom.