Different Bible translations are a true gift. Being able to read from any and every translation we can get our hands on can give us a fuller sense of how the Scriptures are speaking to us, especially when it comes to a passage that can be hard to understand.
So, when I come across passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:16, and I read, “Rejoice always”, my first thought is, “Well, let me try a different translation”. This must be a mistake. Surely Paul doesn’t expect us to rejoice always. That must be a typo. A misprint. Surely Paul, who was beaten and imprisoned for his faith, could not have rejoiced always.
What about when the money is tight this month (again)? What about when my spouse and I get in an argument? What about when that individual who I’ve been helping get back up for the last six months ends up falling back down? These must qualify as a moments when I don’t have to rejoice.
Let’s try the NLT: “Always be joyful.”
ESV? “Rejoice always.”
The Message? “Be cheerful no matter what.”
KJV? “Rejoice evermore.”
Always. No matter what. Evermore.
The prophet Isaiah gives a powerful image of joy that will come to fulfillment in the days of the Messiah: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Joy and salvation, hand in hand. Of all the images of Christ in the Bible, perhaps one of the most enduring is that of a deep well of salvation. Wells were the absolute lifeblood of communities. They were essential for survival. We have a Lord who is our well where we can drop our empty bucket in and draw out living water. With joy.
Always. No matter what. Evermore.
It’s not a surprise then that the Angel of the Lord shines in glory around the shepherds in the field and declares “good news that will cause great joy, for today in the town of David, a Savior has been born” (Luke 2:10-11). Joy and salvation, hand in hand, yet again.
This week of Advent, let us choose to focus on those two words: Joy and Salvation.
Joy is always a choice. It will never, ever come naturally. This world is always pushing us to make the easier choice. It will tell us, “Choose to be mad, choose to be disappointed, choose to sleep on your anger.” This world will tell us that yesterday was a disaster, today is a mess, and tomorrow is wholly uncertain.
When my soul is dry, let me drag my bucket along the well-worn path to the well of salvation and draw from Christ with joy. He is our lifeblood. Let me draw from Christ and drink in deeply all that He says that I am.
*Drink*
I am a child of God.
*Drink*
I am a new creation.
*Drink*
I am chosen and loved.
*Drink*
I am His masterpiece.
*Drink*
May that water fill us with the truth of his mercy and grace.
And salvation – the precious gift we remember and celebrate during Advent! As the Angel of the Lord left the shepherds in the fields that dark night so long ago, they ran, hearts blazing with delight and anticipation to see the new baby Jesus. What a joy that must have been to lay eyes on their salvation! What a joy to behold the infant Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! They were the first in all the earth to lay eyes on the promised Savior.
A Savior who is faithful.
A Savior who is present.
A Savior who is powerful.
A Savior who is alive.
Our Savior.
Advent reminds us that salvation and joy are found together amidst the hardship of giving birth in a barn, am there in the bottom of a manger in the town of David. In that salvation and joy I can surely rejoice.
Always. No matter what. Evermore.
by Ara Koliantz
