‘Authority’ and ‘obedience’ are so often seen in a negative light today and are rarely, if ever, combined with ‘joy’. However, this week in Philippians 4:2-9 we are commanded to rejoice! Twice! And to ‘rejoice always’! It is possible to be both obedient AND full of joy. In fact, being joyful is to obey. God is far from being a ‘kill-joy’ – he is the source of all true joy and wants nothing more than for us to rejoice in him as we entrust ourselves and our anxieties to his good and sovereign care.

The Lord is at hand; and we are promised the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in him. And so, in him we can rejoice and obey.