PHILIPPIANS 2:28

“Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.”

I just love seeing family and friends I haven’t seen in a long time. There are lots of hugs and laughs (I’m a hugger). My wife and I are going to see some of her family next month. I can’t wait. I haven’t seen them since their oldest brother’s funeral a couple of years ago. I know we are going to eat, tell stories, eat some more and just enjoy each other’s company for a couple of days. We will be, in a matter of speaking, rejoicing in each other.

Paul knew sending Epaphroditus back to Philippi would bring smiles and rejoicing. And in doing this, he says he “may be less concerned” about the Philippian church. They had been so distressed by the news of Epaphroditus’ illness and were worried about him. Seeing him again, healthy and in person, they would truly rejoice.

APPLICATION

The word Paul uses here for “rejoice” is chairo which means to be cheerful or glad. Paul uses that same word later in 4:4 where he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” We see James use it James 1:1 where it is translated as “greetings.” Then in 1 Peter 4:13 we read, “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.”

That last one is a tough one! Who wants to rejoice in suffering? Not me! Been there, done that! No fun! But we are told to rejoice in it. Be glad in it. This applies so well to our relationships. Even when things aren’t going so great in a particular relationship, we can rejoice in the life of that person. I am not implying that we should rejoice in those who do us harm. We pray for them. But we can rejoice in others.

Tell someone today that you are rejoicing in them. Tell them they give you joy. My ten month old grandson gives me joy. My wife gives me joy. My family gives me joy. My friends give me joy. My church gives me joy. And, most of all, my Jesus gives me joy. Rejoice in the Lord always!

I rejoice in You, O Lord. You give me joy each time I think of what You did for me.