Finally

II Corinthians 13 says, Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

This is a sign-off statement made by this writer to the people he’s been writing to for chapters, now.  I love that he starts off with the encouragement to rejoice.

After that follows completion, comfort, peace, and love.

Sometimes we wait to rejoice until our prayers are answered (completion) or until our sorrow has passed (comfort), or we wait until the battle is over (peace), and sometimes until we feel secure (love).

But the prelude to all of that is rejoicing.  In fact, we are told elsewhere to “leap” for joy – to jump up and grab it.

It seems near impossible to grasp for joy when you see yourself in the bottom of a dark pit with no way out.  And why should you rejoice when there is no way out?

Remember when we read that Jesus counted it all “joy” to go to the cross?  It’s because he knew he was about to conquer death – not succumb to it.

You too are victorious through Him, and you will not remain in the pit when you choose to rejoice.