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Celebrate [Rejoice] in the Master [Lord] always; again, I will say, celebrate [rejoice].[1]

Philippians 4:4

Now here is some great advice from the Apostle Paul. He knew what he was talking about. This is how he lived his life in Jesus. Even when in prison for telling about the Good News of GOD, he would celebrate.

When we celebrate GOD, our focus is on Him and not us. It may seem straight forward but much of conversation with God is about us, not Him. That is not the way it should be.

Celebrating God gets us focused on what He wants. That is the way it should be. I should do it all day long. From the time I wake up in bed till the time I fall asleep at night.

Now is the time to celebrate!

I think a great way to translate the Greek word here is celebrate. The Greek word is χαίρω chairō, khah´-ee-ro. It is a primary verb that means to be “cheer”ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off;. especially as a salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:— farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (- fully), rejoice. Yes, let us celebrate! [2]

There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels. Proverbs 5:18 tells the reader to rejoice in the wife of his youth, without reference to what she may be like.

The Messiah Jesus instructed his disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered.

  • The apostle Paul commanded continuous rejoicing.
  • James said disciples of Jesus are to reckon it all joy when they fall into various testings because such testings produce endurance.
  • First Peter 4:13 seems to include both action and emotion when it says, “But rejoice [the action] in so far as you share the Messiah’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad [the emotion] when his glory is revealed.”

Joy in adverse circumstances is possible only as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is present in every disciple.

Why this is important: We all understand what it means to celebrate. We celebrate sports victories, political elections, certain holidays, birthdays. We love to celebrate. We get it. How much time do we spend celebrating God. Christmas? Easter? Is that it?

God’s goal: Now would be a good day to celebrate, with great joy, the goodness of God. That is a big deal and will please God.[3]

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 4:4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[3] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Joy. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1225). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.