The Bible speaks a number of times regarding rejoicing. David once stated, “This is the day which the Lord has made” and then he added, “We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Why isn’t that just as true today as the day David wrote it? A celebrated writer once wrote, “Every new day is a miracle.” The point: “the Lord did not owe us another day, but He gave it to us.”In the days of Nehemiah, when the people of God had combined their efforts in a great cause, they were coaxed to rejoice, and were reminded: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:9-10). Then the people responded with great rejoicing “because they now understood the words that had been made known to them" (Nehemiah 8:12).
Even in the shadow the hideous cross, Jesus told the disciples, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Of course, they were not glad that Jesus had to suffer so, but were to rejoice at the happy results — their redemption (cf. Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-25). It is recorded of the early church that they “received their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46 ESV).
In the marvelous book of Philippians, we read that Paul counseled Christians to “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1); and then a chapter later repeated, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). The Thessalonians were instructed similarly, to “rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). What a wonderful reason Jesus gave the early disciples to rejoice when He said, “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Have we ever thought that when we are told to “rejoice” that it implies making a conscious effort to do so? Happiness is not automatic — it’s a choice!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). —Joe Goodspeed
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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