“Rejoice in the Lord alway,” says the Scripture—not only when it is fair sailing, but in stormy weather also. The Apostle was in a dungeon when he said, “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.” His surroundings did not tend to joy, but his joy was in the Lord.
We remember how he, with Silas, sang praises to God when in the inner prison at Philippi; and when the beloved saints of that city were going through their trials for Christ’s sake, the Apostle sent to them, from his chains in Rome, the cheering exhortation, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”
If we rejoice in the Lord always, what should be our demeanor towards others? Moderation gentleness—yieldingness—mildness. “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”
Supposing there is somebody who has seen us a little off our balance in standing upon our rights, real or imaginary, something which contradicted the gentleness of Christ, ought we not to feel humbled? God would have our readiness to yield, not resist, known, and this not sometimes, or to some persons, but to all men. By moderation the Apostle means that spirit of meekness which can only be where the will is not allowed to work actively for that which we may desire. And what a reason why we need not be anxious to assert a claim, even when we are right! “The Lord is at hand.” Where there is the happy feeling in the soul that one is doing that which pleases God, there is generally the readiness of trust in the Lord that puts aside anxiety, and leaves all in His hands.