I cannot begin to tell you how many times in recent years the Lord has brought to my attention as I study the Bible the seemingly endless references to being joyful, rejoicing, praising God, celebrating, being happy, making joyful noises, dancing, victory, etc. I used to resent and be jealous of people who were happy because I was so filled with self-pity, sorrow, depression, discouragement, negativity, hurt, bitterness, and the like. The idea that God would call His followers to REJOICE – and to rejoice ALWAYS – was simply beyond my comprehension. But praise God almighty He by His Holy Spirit has given me understanding.
NO MATTER our trials and tribulations, no matter the challenging circumstances of our lives, we can REJOICE IN THE LORD. We can REJOICE THAT ALL WHO TURN FROM OUR SINS, BELIEVE IN HIM AS LORD AND IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION AND TURN TO GOD AND HIS WAYS ARE FORGIVEN AND PROMISED A FOREVER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD AND INDWELT BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT. So it is we who are Jesus’ followers can REJOICE IN A FOREVER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
We can REJOICE IN KNOWING THAT THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN AND FOLLOW JESUS WILL ONE DAY BE IN GOD’S FOREVER SPLENDOROUS GLORIOUS EVERLASTING PRESENCE.
We can REJOICE IN JESUS. We can REJOICE IN ABIDING IN CHRIST. We can REJOICE IN COMMUNING WITH GOD. We can REJOICE IN HAVING AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. We can REJOICE IN LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAVEN WITH THE LORD. We can REJOICE THAT JESUS IS LORD AND DIED ON THE CROSS FOR US AND WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD.
We can REJOICE IN GOD’S PROMISES IN THE BIBLE. We can REJOICE THAT GOD BLESSES US EACH AND EVERY DAY. Oh, we can REJOICE IN GOD’S LOVE AND GOODNESS. And on and on the reasons for REJOICING IN THE LORD go. Oh, yes WE CAN – and we SHOULD – REJOICE! Hallelujah!
I am JOYFUL in simply writing this message. Now my encouragement to you – and to myself – is that we CHOOSE to REJOICE ALWAYS – in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, Hallelujah, PRAISE THE LORD, AMEN!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NKJV
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” Philippians 3:1 NKJV
“For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” Philippians 3:3 NKJV
Maybe you have wondered at times how you can possibly REJOICE given the struggles you face. Let us turn our hearts and faces away from our struggles and set our gazes upon the Lord and REJOICE! Rejoice, rejoice, REJOICE, AMEN!
Rejoicing in Jesus doesn’t mean we won’t face great challenges. It doesn’t mean we’ll feel great all the time. It doesn’t mean life will be easy. But at any time of day or night, we can look to the Lord and to His Word and REJOICE! Oh, Hallelujah, oh yes! Amen!
And should our hearts and faces turn away from God and from REJOICING, let us REPENT and turn back to the Lord – AND REJOICE. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, PRAISE THE LORD, AMEN!