Rejoicing in the Lord

Preparing Youth Group for tonight, I am struck by the simple and well known words of Philippians 4:4-9.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

I think there is a degree of this that I sometimes find hard. After twenty-two years following Jesus, some days it can be hard to wake up in the morning and think "I am going to rejoice today, because Jesus has died for me." Sometimes it is because I have forgotten the peace of God, sometimes I have simply forgotten what Jesus has done for me.

It is so easy to focus on what we don't have, that in the process we forget the all surpassing value of what we do have, and (worse than that) we forget the one who gave it to us.

Rejoice in the Lord today, for he is marvellous, and has saved us even though we do not deserve it.