Near to us, Cause for Joy
In Philippians 4:4 (ESV), Paul commands, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” This speaks of an uncircumstantial joy. Not dependent on our outward circumstances. Paul wrote this letter from a dirty, uncomfortable prison, very unlike the modern prisons we know today. It’s not exactly a fun place to write from.
Imagine yourself in that situation. Locked in a dungeon for preaching Christ. Most of us, if we were writing letters, would probably send them to our lawyers, family members, or friends, asking for help to get out. But Paul? He writes a letter to encourage an existing church! Even in the midst of suffering, his focus is on the body of Christ, not himself. That’s what makes this command to rejoice so remarkable. It flows out of deep faith, not pleasant circumstances.
The Greek root word for “rejoicing” is chairo - “to be glad, to rejoice, to be in a state of well-being; happy.”
The bottom line is this: we don’t need material things to make us happy or to help us remain in a state of well-being. If we receive what we want, that’s awesome. If not, we don’t lose our joy. Sometimes we do lose our joy because our outward circumstances appear chaotic; however, we can live by the Pauline principle of placing total dependence on God and His presence.
He is the very source of joy, coupled with the firm hope that tears may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. This hope stretches toward the New Heaven and New Earth. A place of everlasting reunion where all people in Christ will feast together at the kingdom table
We can also note that Paul is not merely being optimistic about the eschatological finish - the final consummation, the return of Christ, the saints entering heaven. Because the joy Paul describes in Philippians 4:4 is not just a future hope; it is a present-tense experience of joy. The verb chairete is a present imperative—meaning: keep on rejoicing; make it your continual practice. Even in hardship and suffering. This joy is real, and its source is God’s presence.
Then, in the following verse (Philippians 4:5), Paul writes: “The Lord is at hand.” This phrase can be understood in two key theological ways:
Spatial Nearness – The Lord’s presence is close to you now. His presence is the source of peace and joy. We rejoice because of His intimate fellowship with us.
Future Nearness – The second coming of Christ. We live in light of the coming kingdom.
In this context, Paul is certainly expressing the closeness of Christ’s presence now. His present presence produces peace in us. This is why Paul commands ongoing rejoicing for all who are in Christ. And Jesus Himself promised in Hebrews 13:5 ESV, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Leaving us with an assurance of his continual joy for us through his presence.
We may still struggle at times to sense His nearness because of outward circumstances. But even that struggle will end when Christ returns. Until then, we rejoice, we hope, and we endure with long-suffering faith, for He is near!
