Watching or reading the news can be depressing. The focus is on the worst actions of man, often against other men. Focusing on such can result in a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. The Christian, however, has multiple reasons for rejoicing.
God’s children should rejoice in the Father’s love. He sent His Son to die for us while we were sinners (Romans 5:8) “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). That love permits us to say there is literally nothing that can defeat us (Romans 8:38-39).
Those in Christ can rejoice because we are free from sin. That freedom was achieved when we changed masters by obeying from the heart the pattern of teaching in the Gospel. Those who have repented and have been baptized under Jesus’ authority went down into the water dead in sin. In the watery grave, they were buried with their Lord, coming in contact with the blood He shed in his death. Freedom from sin was achieved and all condemnation was removed (Romans 6:3-4, 16-18; 8:1-2; John 19:31-35).
Those who are part of Christ can rejoice because of their hope. Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20-21). Though we may be troubled by the evil around us, we can know the Lord is one day coming to take us home (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We have good reasons to, as Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
