Paul’s motivation and basis for demanding ‘rejoice evermore’ of every believer are expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:14b; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:14

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Beloved child of God, if there is no manifest evidence of performance, with evident result in what God has committed to you as a commission to accomplish; rejoicing has no basis in God’s reckoning.

Paul’s epic statement in Acts 20:17-24 must be a challenge to each of us. He was basically comparing the outcome of his service or ministry as we like to say with the commission he received when he testified before King Agrippa in Acts 26:16-19. Or we will be rejoicing in something worthless to God. To rejoice for evermore, you must have cause to rejoice; and for every child of God, your principal accountability after being saved to live for Christ is in the number of souls you won for Him. Nothing more, nothing else to  rejoice over!

Photo by Jon Paul on Unsplash