Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
These words were written from prison. It is significant that Paul could write such words, instead of writing words like "Why me?" or "This shows the need for the proletariat to rise up and smash the oppressor!" or "God must really hate me and I deserve it!" or any one of a dozen other reactions to his circumstances. Paul doesn't react to his circumstances. He reacts to Christ and sees everything through Him. In this case, Paul recognizes that his very bonds are simply another way of being conformed to Christ, who was Himself part of the prison population on the night before His execution. And He, for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross. It is extraordinary to be reminded that Jesus endured what He endured, not because He couldn't wait to get out of this lousy world, but because He couldn't wait to see the world renewed. Joy, not grief, is the final word that will be spoken. Our task is to ready our souls to receive it. We do that by receiving it now — even if we are in prison. Today, rejoice.
