Rejoice Evermore

“Rejoice evermore.” (1Th 5:16 AV)

I was reminded of this verse this morning as the trials are mounting up.  There is a joy that some are able to carry regardless of their circumstances.  This is the joy we should all be working toward.  The words above were written to a church that was suffering rather profoundly.  They were a people of deep poverty.  When Paul arrived to start a church in Thessalonica, he worked a secular job because the people were far too poor to meet his needs.  It was only one of two places where Paul supplemented his income.  The other was at Corinth because there had yet to be a church planted there.  The Thessalonians suffered from severe earthquakes.  Even today, according to a web search, “Seismically, the region remains active; data indicates there are roughly 692 quakes per year in or near the city.  While most are minor, Thessaloniki has experienced at least 9 earthquakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, suggesting that large-magnitude events occur on average every 10 to 15 years.  Recent activity includes a magnitude 2.0 quake in the nearby Aegean Sea as of June 12, 2026.”  Thessalonica was conquered by the Romans and eventually made the capital city of the Macedonian region.  Christians did not fare well because of the political persecution against them.  Of all the churches Paul started, Thessalonica probably had the greatest temptation to misery.  Yet, he told them to rejoice evermore.

I know I have used this example before, but it was so profound to me it bears repeating.  At my last church, one of the most fulfilling ministries I had was a monthly luncheon with the widows and widowers.  Being the youngest person at the table, I simply sat and listened.  I listened to their stories of years gone by.  I listened of the hog killings in the front yard as neighbors drove by waving and smiling.  There was the story of one fella who used to ride his horse to school.  Still another of the ice deliveries that came once a week.  I heard of storms that paralyzed the area for weeks, but they hunkered down and survived just fine.  Every once is a while, a story would include their departed spouse.  Rather than tears, there was laughter.  They would remember the good times.  The bad times were long forgotten.  Someone would recall a funny event that made the entire group chuckle.  Someone else might mention a particular trait or quirk of the departed and smiles would break out all around the tables.  There were no tears.  There were smiles and laughter.  Then they would regale one another with battle stories of their health struggles.  Rather than complain, they found the humor in it.  We heard of one cancer patient who couldn’t stand people staring at her, so she pretended to sneeze so hard that her wig flew off.  Still another who had a continence issue who would blame the food for smelling badly to see who would buy the story.  And there were the stories of going to get a colonoscopy, noticing the waiting room was full, and mentioning to the staff that perhaps having a room full of patients who had been guzzling prep all night might not be such a good idea.  There was bound to be a mess somewhere.

Joy is something we choose.  Happiness is something that happens.  We can choose to see God’s mercy, grace, benevolence, and provision.  Or, we can complain and be miserable.  We can either choose to laugh at the human condition, or we can amplify every inconvenience, hardship, etc. to a point of pure misery.  Paul tells a church that has endured several earthquakes, political persecution, and deep poverty to rejoice evermore.  Is Paul callous?  Can he not empathize with their situation?  Cannot the Apostle understand their horrible circumstances? Does he not offer a shoulder, a prayer, or a pat on the back?  Absolutely.  But none of those things are going to change their circumstances.  Therefore, after the consolation has been offered, it is time to rejoice.  It is time to set our affections on things above.  It is time to be more grateful for what we do have than resentful over that which we do not have.  Rejoice evermore.  That is a command.  Not a suggestion.