The Joy From GOD 上帝所赐的喜乐
Author : Sis Ng Siew Kim
Translator: Sister Charis Ong
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
In the book of Philippians, Paul emphasised repeatedly to always rejoice in the Lord, and encouraged believers in Philippi with that verse. He has set for the Philippians a good role model for he has learnt how to be content and rejoice in the Lord, whether having plenty or in hunger, having an abundance or in need. We too understand that we must rejoice in the Lord, yet it feels like an impossible mission when we face adversities. Why?
Recently, the need to adapt to new surroundings after shifting house and my family’s contraction of COVID wore me down physically and mentally, such that I found it impossible to have any joy. Today, many are like me, losing joy because of sudden changes in the environment and challenges.
Thanks be to our God that He desires to give us joy. All we need to do is to imitate Paul, to have unshakeable faith in God. The strategy is just as Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Though Paul was shackled in the prison, he could still pray and sing praises to God with Silas in the middle of the night (Acts 16:25). He knew that God is with him, even as he faced mounting troubles, he could still sing with gladness, and be filled with joy because of the faith he has in God! God is the source of joy, and He has the last say in all our circumstances. Believe in God’s promises – He did not leave nothing good for those whom He loves!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us learn what Paul taught, that is to ‘always rejoice’, ‘pray without ceasing’, and ‘give thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Besides, we also learnt in Philippians 4:6-7, to ‘not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always”, no matter the kind of circumstances we are in or the stress we are under, we only need to confide calmly in our God. All matters, whether big or small, good, or bad, we can give thanks because “for those who love God all things work together for good”. May the Lord bless all of you. May the peace and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you forever and ever!
文：郑秀莉姐妹
翻译: 王佩瑾师母
“你们要靠主常常喜乐。我再说,你们要喜乐”
保罗在腓立比书中再三的强调你们要靠主常常喜乐，借此勉励腓力比教会的信徒。他也以身作则立下了好榜样，他知道怎样在饱足、饥饿、有余或缺乏中都能靠主大大的喜乐！我们也都知道应该喜乐，但很多时候我们遇到不如意的事情时却无法喜乐，那是为什么呢?
最近我因搬家要适应新环境，接着全家又染了冠病，造成我身心灵疲乏、软弱，也喜乐不起来。今天许多人和我一样都会因环境的突变与不顺利而失去喜乐的心。
感谢爱我们的神，祂定意要赐喜乐给我们。我们只要效仿保罗，对主有坚定的信心。就如保罗在腓4:13 所提起他得力的秘诀是：「靠着那加给我力量的, 凡事都能作。」
保罗在监牢里，被锁链捆绑着，但他却能在半夜能与西拉祷告唱诗赞美神（使16:25）。保罗知道神与他同在，即便困难重重，他也可以欢欣歌唱、也可以因着信靠耶稣而充满喜乐！神是喜乐的源头，并在我们所处的环境中掌权。相信神的允许，祂没有不留下一个好处给他所爱的人！
亲爱的弟兄姐妹，让我们学习保罗的教导，就是“常常喜乐”、“不住祷告”、“凡事谢恩”(帖前5:16-18)。另外腓4：6-7岂不是这么教导：「应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告将你们所要的告诉上帝。上帝所赐那超人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守你们的心怀意念。」
“靠主常常喜乐”，无论何境况、无论承受着多少压力，只需平心静气地向主诉说。不管大事、小事、好事或坏事，我们都可以感恩，因为“万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处”。愿上帝祝福你们！愿主耶稣基督所赐的平安喜乐与你们同在直到永远!