One key truth: Rejoice in Jesus’ coming.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in What’s Coming
Rejoice? In what?
Philippians 4:4 is up there on the most famous list of Bible passages. Students memorize it. Adults buy Bible artwork on Amazon displaying it. Christians often quote it. But here’s the question nobody really asks out loud: Do we actually believe it?
It’s pretty easy to rejoice when life is coasting along smoothly on autopilot. But you’re a teen—you know life doesn’t usually work like that. School drama, sports pressure, friend issues, family stress, anxiety, breakups, breakdowns, and being pulled in a hundred directions can make rejoicing feel… well, unrealistic. Sometimes impossible. You may respond like many suffering Christians—Rejoice? In what?
Before giving up on the idea, stop and notice something important: What time is it?
Yes, it’s almost Christmas-shopping-and-hot-chocolate season. But in the Church Year, it’s something deeper: Advent. Advent means coming or arrival. It’s a season that tells us to look in three directions at once:
- Jesus came at Christmas to be our Savior.
- Jesus comes to us now through his Word and sacraments.
- Jesus will come again on judgment day.
And believe it or not, all three of those advents give you real reasons to rejoice—even on the hard days.
Why Advent actually matters
Verse 7 says we have the peace of God that “transcends all understanding.” Why? Because Jesus came in real skin and bones to live perfectly and die for you. That means:
- You are forgiven.
- You are loved.
- Not even death can win anymore.
That kind of peace doesn’t make sense to the world—but it’s real. And it “will guard your hearts and your minds” every single day, even on the days you don’t feel strong.
Because Jesus has made you part of God’s family, verse 6 becomes true for you too: You can bring anything—literally anything—to God. The anxiety. The mistakes. The fears. The future. And he listens.
Then Paul drops one more reminder: “The Lord is near.”
- Near… as in coming back soon.
- Near… as in the ending of the story is already written.
- Near… as in joy is the final chapter, not fear.
When Jesus returns, every pain disappears. Every heartbreak is healed. Every problem ends. Joy wins.
So dear teen, rejoice in the Lord always! Why? Jesus has come for us, Jesus still comes to us, and Jesus will come again. Yes, “I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, so many things weigh us down and stress us out in this life. When anxiety feels heavy and worries pile up, remind us of your Advent. Remind us that you came for us, you still come to us through your Word, and you will come back for us without fail. Fill our hearts with peace that doesn’t make sense and joy that can’t be shaken. With confidence in your promises, I pray: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Teen Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
