" REJOICE !!! "

    Rejoicing is something that every Christian should express on a daily, if not, moment by moment basis. I know, it seems highly unlikely that a person, even a Christian could rejoice every moment of the day. But I am not talking about an outward hysteria or jovial animated look on our faces at all times. I am speaking of an inward spiritual rejoicing that comes from a knowledge that we, as GOD's children, have GOD's blessings when our lives are lived in accordance with HIS will. Once saved, we can rejoice in HIS gift of Salvation, HIS divine protection, HIS truth and instruction thru HIS HOLY WORD, the Bible
     Rejoicing can also be an outward display of joy and happiness thru singing praises or quiet meditation on HIS WORD and way. Let us look into HIS WORD for some specific places and reasons for GOD's children to REJOICE !!!!

     Exodus 18:9 - Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom HE had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians...........This is an obvious kind of rejoicing. Israel had been enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years and they finally got tired of living that way and they cried out to GOD to deliver them from their taskmasters, the Egyptians, and HE did by the hand of Moses and after Moses, Joshua.

     Psalms 105:1 thru 5 - OH, give thanks to the LORD ! Call upon HIS name; make known HIS deeds among the peoples. Sing to HIM, sing psalms to HIM: talk of all HIS wondrous works, glory in HIS holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS face evermore. Remember HIS marvelous works which HE has done, HIS wonders, and the judgments of HIS mouth........... This is more of a spiritual and singing form of rejoicing. Actually this is part of a larger Psalm that is in 1st.Chron.16 when the Ark of GOD was brought back to the City of David. In 1st.Chron.15:27 & 28 it states - David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps........... The ark had been away from the City of David for a long time and when it was returned their hearts were so happy that they could not contain themselves and wanted to praise GOD for this great blessing

     Psalm 21:1  -  The king shall have joy in YOUR strength, O LORD; And in YOUR salvation how greatly shall he rejoice.  Psalm 63:7  -  Because YOU have been my help, therefore in the shadow of YOUR wings I will rejoice........... The rejoicing that is noted here is by the leader of a nation whose GOD is the LORD and he rejoices in strength and salvation and help that only comes from a relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD.

     Habakkuk 3: 17 thru 19  -  Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines: though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation. The LORD GOD is my strength; HE will make my feet like deer's feet, and HE will make me walk on my high hills........... This is the kind of spiritual rejoicing that a Child of GOD does when times are tough and things may not be going well. Money is tight but you know in your heart of hearts that GOD is doing a work in your life, teaching you patience to wait on HIM to provide the need. You rejoice internally and even externally that HE loves and cares for you enough to personally want only your best and will work all things out for your good ( Romans 8:28 ).

     Rejoicing, as I said, is something that all TRUE BORN AGAIN Christians should do on a regular basis. There is nothing that should interfere with a heart of joy, " Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say rejoice !" (Phil.4:4) Even the Apostle Paul, and all he went through for the furtherance of the GOSPEL penned the above words from the book of Philippians and later in chapter 4 he wrote, But I rejoiced in the LORD greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (Phil.4:10 & 11).  He suffered much for the cause of CHRIST but he also rejoiced that the LORD would use the " Chiefest of Sinners " to bring glory to GOD through the preaching of the GOSPEL of his LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
     If you aren't rejoicing in the LORD, right now, it may be because you are not one of HIS children. Has there ever been a time that you, a sinner just like all of us, went to the LORD in prayer, asking HIM to forgive you of your sin and to come into your heart and life and save you. HE WILL, HE longs to save those who come to HIM by faith and then you too can REJOICE WITH JOY INEXPRESSIBLE AND FULL OF GLORY !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie