REJOICE IN THE LORD


A. "REJOICE IN THE LORD, O YE RIGHTEOUS: FOR PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT." - PSALMS 33:1
  1. This is a timely admonition to God's people:
    1. Joy is associated with gratitude
    2. When our heart is full of gratitude for God's mercies, rejoicing will be as natural for us as breathing
  2. It is thought provoking to note that the Psalmist was a man of much joy in the Lord:
    1. "I will rejoice in Thy salvation" - Ps. 9:14
    2. "My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation" - Ps. 13:5
    3. "But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice" - Ps. 68:3
B. THE LORD THE OBJECT OF THE JOY OF THE SAINTS
  1. We are to rejoice in the Lord:
    1. As an expression of our gratitude of being His children - Ps. 35:9
    2. In the Lord, our god and Father, who loved us with an everlasting love - Is. 9:6; 26:4
    3. Said Jesus, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11
    4. In the Lord our heavenly King - Ps. 149:2
    5. In the Lord as the Holy One - Is. 41:16
    6. In the Lord as the Saving One - Phil. 3:3
    7. In the Lord as our all Sufficient one - Hab. 3:17; Ps. 73:23-25
  2. Ground of this Joy:
    1. Because of His wonderful Salvation - Ps. 35:9; 9:14; 3:5; 20:5
    2. Writes the Psalmist, Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing - Ps. 126:2
    3. Because of His covering in the day of trouble also because of the garment of salvation - Is. 61:10; Ps. 32:7
    4. Because of His word - Ps. 119:14, 111; Jer. 15:16
    5. Because of His Faithfulness - Ps. 5:1; Is. 11:5
    6. Because of His presence - Ps. 16:11
    7. Because of His Joy to be with us - Zeph. 3:17
C. LET US NOTE THE CHARACTER AND CONSEQUENCE OF THIS JOY
  1. The character:
    1. It is a holy joy - it is prompted by the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; Examples: the recovery of the lost sheep - Luke 15:6,9; virgins in ancient Israel rejoiced with dancing - Jer. 31:13; I Sam. 18:6-8; Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem - Matt. 21:1-9
    2. The joy of thankfulness for God's mercies - Joel 2:23
    3. It is a hopeful joy - Zech. 9:9; Is. 62:11
    4. It is a continual joy - Phil 4:4
    5. It is a God glorifying joy - Ps. 89:16 Oh for more of this pure gladness which magnifies His precious name
    6. A triumphant joy - Hab. 3:18; it is not bound up with the things of this world, but in the eternal God Himself
    7. It is an unspeakable joy - I Peter 1:8; we call it joy, but the fullness of the delight, the bliss, no language can tell - "God my exceeding joy" - Ps. 43:4
  2. Consequences of this joy:
    1. Rejoicing in the Lord is the happy mood that makes our lives most fruitful
    2. Gives fitness to sacrifice - 2 Chron. 23:18; it must have awe-inspiring at the consecration of men to the holy priesthood - 2 Chron. 29:27
    3. Gives power to testimony - Ps. 107:22; the works of the Lord are to be declared with rejoicing. If the joy of the Lord is not in our hearts our declarations will be of little value
    4. Gives strength for service - Neh. 8:10; the joy of having God's promises ought to strengthen us in our work, as it did Nehemiah
    5. It gives courage for witness-bearing - Ps. 20:5; if our joy in the Lord was measured by the height of our banners, how would it stand with us? Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice, rejoice in the Lord
  3. Dear thoughtful reader:
    1. Does this message express your sentiment on being joyful in the Lord
    2. We do know that there are moments in our life when deep sorrow seems to prevent joy


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