Yet Always Rejoicing

As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:4–10, NIV 1984).

My Musings – As incredible as it may sound, this was the Apostle Paul’s life after placing his faith in Jesus Christ. Moreover, this was Paul’s life because he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. Later in this Epistle he had this to say:

“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23–28, NIV 1984).

Despite all this, he says, “yet always rejoicing….yet possessing everything.” He acknowledged that “if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Corinthians 15:19, NIV 1984). A fair statement. Except for the “but.” “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV 1984).

My Advice – In what is perhaps the oldest book of the Old Testament, Job has this to say. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25–27, NIV 1984). Paul knew this as well. He too has this “yearning.” Let’s not let the difficulties of this earth destroy that yearning.