The Jews Rejoice

Do you need something to rejoice about?

Perhaps you presently trudge through a portion of your life path that is dreary, difficult, and overwhelming. Maybe you are experiencing sadness or discouragement or anger. Perhaps you are upset or uptight or "upheaved" (that is, in a state of upheaval). Maybe you're fed up with life or unhappy with everyone and everything.

Then you need to choose joy and rejoicing! If you can't see anything to be joyful about, decide to look for it. I know, that's hard to do when the negatives so effectively demand our attention. But try anyway. Here, let me help you get started.

"I will rejoice in thy salvation" (Psalm 9:14). Review and rejoice in the eternal salvation Jesus has provided for you. Also consider that God daily saves and shields you from many physical and moral perils.

"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). Learn God's will for His people, then do it. Obedience to God brings joy and peace. Living by His precepts frees us from misery and enables us to rejoice.

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Rejoice that God has given you life. Not only that, He has planned for this very day of your life. He is in control and He always does all things well. So rejoice and be glad today!

"Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Philippians 1:18). You know the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of preaching, so rejoice. Millions of other people also know Jesus, and are getting to know Him better, because of preaching. So rejoice. And millions of others who don't yet know Him are learning (or will be learning) about Him because of His faithful people. So rejoice. (And while you're at it, write a note of encouragement to and pray a blessing on some missionary or minister.)

"[If] one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). Surely someone in your congregation has been blessed or honored recently. Be glad for them. Rejoice with them. Learn to delight yourself in the successes of others. (And if you think someone hasn't been honored or blessed recently enough, get busy and find a way to bless and honor that person yourself!)

"We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2). Look away from the darkness, oppression, injustice, sin, and hopelessness that abound and thrive all around us in this dying world. Look ahead to the coming revelation of God's glory, justice, and light. Focus on God and the hope (the certain, guaranteed expectation) which He has given every believer.

"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Jesus died for your redemption and salvation. He rose again for your justification and victory. You are a registered child of God. Rejoice!

"But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:13). Rejoice that by taking part in Christ's sufferings you can look forward to taking part in His glory.