"Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.  To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard."

When Paul tells the Philippians that it is no trouble to write these things again, what does he mean?  There are some who believe that this message is exactly what Timothy and Epaphroditus will be saying when they arrive at Philippi.  If that is the case, then this is the central message of Philippians:  rejoice!

The belief is, many of the Philippians were worried about the items parallel to salvation:  circumcision, baptism, law vs. freewill, things we often worry about.  Paul said rejoicing would be a safeguard to them.  The word "safeguard" in the Greek is the word "asphales" and it carries the connotation of something that cannot stumble.  In other words.  To really delve into solid doctrine is to rejoice that God is in control.  This is a matter of Faith.  Not blind faith, faith in the Solid Rock of Jesus.

Why do we find it so hard to rejoice when God works in our lives?
What percentage of temporal things do you consider when dealing with God's hand on your world?
When is the last time you truly rejoiced?
Are you in control of the amount of rejoicing you can do?