Do You Rejoice in the Lord?

Devotionals on the Go

“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!” Paul is reminding us that God is our only real source of joy and comfort. All too often, we rely more on God’s good gifts - health, family, loved ones, financial security - than on God himself. But when believers rejoice in the Lord, they are finding joy and thanksgiving in His goodness - with or without His gifts.

Do you have the tendency to find more joy in God’s gifts than in God himself?

Scripture reminds us of the need for a “circumcised heart.”

Deuteronomy 30:6 says: The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Only true circumcision - a change of the heart - leads to genuine worship of God. Our next passage is Romans 2:28-29

What is “true” circumcision?

A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.