“REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY UNCEASINGLY”
I have read this scripture following what our brother has read and said1. We have here two of the shortest verses in the Bible (in the French Bible) “Rejoice always”, “Pray unceasingly”—two small verses, each of two words. I think they contain the essence of the Christian life, that is to say, joy and prayer. I was glad that our brother spoke simply, because we have need of simple things. We prove, as he, as we become older that Christianity is something very simple. On the other hand, assuredly, I know well that it is very profound and we would not wish to underestimate the fact that the Scripture speaks of “the depths of God” which only the Spirit of God can search out (1 Corinthians 2: 10).
But what I wanted to point out was simply this feature of the simplicity of true Christianity, which ought to mark us each one, that we should be persons who rejoice and pray. Such persons rejoice always and pray unceasingly. Well, that puts me to the test, but it is the exhortation of Paul for the Thessalonians. I like the end of the epistles in general and I like the practical exhortations which Paul addressed to the saints to whom he was writing; and this is one of the things which are part of the comfort of the Scriptures, that there were persons to whom the beloved apostle could address himself in their assembly circumstances, or even in the circumstances of their lives, and put these exhortations to them. And here we have two exhortations—“Rejoice always” and “Pray unceasingly”.
Then I read the following verse—“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you”. Well, if we lack, if I lack, in the smallest way in the capacity to be able to rejoice always, and certainly if I fail to pray unceasingly—because I am often distracted by all sorts of things—how much I am put to the test as to giving thanks in everything! “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you”. This is a test, is it not? On the other hand, I am sure there is a great blessing for the soul which comes up to it—“for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you”. We have differing circumstances, one from another, and all of us give thanks when the circumstances are good, do we not? At least, that is what I do. But when the circumstances are bad? … ‘in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you’. God has His will towards each one of us. Paul says elsewhere that the will of God is “good and acceptable and perfect”, Romans 12: 2. I think it is that which leads us to give thanks for this will.
Beloved brethren, I have nothing else to say. I have simply got up because I thought that perhaps someone else might get up afterwards. It is not so often, it is exceptional here, that we can be three to speak, and the scripture says that two or three may speak. I should simply like three to speak today and I should wish to leave room for someone else who has something to say, stressing only that we should retain this thought in our hearts, as our brother brought it before us, of rejoicing and praying.