“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6).

Paul the apostle had a very special relationship with the believers in Philippi, a church which was established when he visited that city in Acts chapter 16. As he begins his letter to that church, he starts by saying that he gave thanks for them and prayed for them with joy.

From these verses, we learn that…

1. Joy comes when we focus on the things for which we are thankful.

Paul was thankful for this church that helped him in the gospel ministry, and partnered with him financially. In Philippians 4:10-19, Paul thanked them for the special gift brought to him from the church while he was under house arrest in Rome. It came by the hands of Epaphroditus, who nearly died while he was in Rome (Philippians 2:27). Paul also mentions that after he left Philippi and traveled to the neighboring city of Thessalonica, the believers sent him several gifts to take care of his needs (Philippians 4:16). In fact, Paul said that the church in Philippi was the only church that did that (Philippians 4:15).

Joy comes when we focus on the things for which we are thankful. What things are you thankful for today? Who are you thankful for? As the hymn says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

2. Joy comes when you realize that God is faithful and in control.

Paul was confident that God would finish the good work He had begun in the lives of the believers he was writing to, We can be joyful and thankful when we realize that God is sovereign and that His purposes never fail. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is faithful. His plans for us are for our good, and nothing can ever separate us from His love.

Because God is faithful, His promises are true. Because His is in control, He is able to accomplish His plans for me. We can rejoice today resting in God’s great faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23).

There is joy in giving thanks when we consider these things. May the joy of the Lord be yours today!