Rejoice and be Glad... (two devotionals)

 From Oasis of Hope ...

Rejoice or Despair?

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say rejoice." - Philippians 4:4 NASB

Do you find it easier to rejoice when everything is going well or when things are falling apart?  It is much easier for most of us to be positive and praise God when we're content with our circumstances.

It's much harder to rejoice when a job has been lost.  It is also challenging when we or a loved one has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.  Rejoicing in those times is much harder, isn't it?

Rejoicing in the Lord is not optional but is a command.  Even though Paul wrote this instruction, God told him what to write.  Paul didn't have an easy life.  He was imprisoned in a cold, damp cell on several occasions; yet, he chose to rejoice through it all.  We're not to rejoice just when we feel like it.  Through Paul, God said to rejoice in the Lord always.  We are to rejoice in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

How can we live this way with all the trials that beset us daily?  First, focus on God.  He is the One Who has allowed the trials into our lives for whatever reason.  His goal, once we have accepted Jesus Christ, is to conform us into His image.  Often, we learn deeper spiritual truths as we go through difficult times.  Second, choose to follow God's instructions.  We can choose to wallow in despair or choose to turn toward God, obey, and rejoice.

Notice Paul says "rejoice" twice for added emphasis.  When something is mentioned twice as this is, we should take special  note of it.  We are to rejoice always.  The good news is God will help us if we ask Him to.  As we choose to focus on God, our gratitude for Him grows.  Then it becomes easier to rejoice.

Which do you typically do, wallow or rejoice?  Has that choice helped or harmed you?  Try following Paul's instructions.  Ask God to help you to rejoice in everything.

- Julie Wilson Smith

From A Lamp Unto My Feet ...

Choose To Be Glad

The Bible is full of commands to be joyful.  the Lord commanded the people of Israel to set aside certain days for celebration, and on those days they were to rejoice.  There was no provision made for any who might not feel like rejoicing.  This was what they were to do, young and old, slaves and free, aliens, orphans and widows - in obedience to the command.  The pilgrim feast of Weeks was celebrated seven weeks after the time "when the sickle is put to the standing corn" (Deuteronomy 16:9).  The people were commanded to bring a freewill offering and to rejoice:  "You shall rejoice in the place which the Lord your God will choose.  You shall rejoice ... You shall keep the feast with joy" (vv. 11, 14-15).

The rhythm of life is one of God's mercies, meant to keep us from sinking into individual ruts.  We are called away from our personal inclination by the dawning of each new day; by the sun's going down so that we may cease from our work; by the changing seasons, which require changes of habit, work and dress; and by the regular occurrences of "feasts" when, without reference to how we happen to feel, we may join with others in purposeful rejoicing.  We may choose to be glad.

"Although the fig tree does not burgeon, the vines bear no fruit, the olive-crop fails ... and there are not cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord and rejoice in the God of my deliverance" (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

- Elisabeth Elliot

I just had a quick look in the concordance at the back of my Bible, and there are many verses that mention 'rejoice' and glad/gladness'. This week, I'm going to do a word search and write them out.

Care to join me?

Here are 2 to get you started...

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12 NKJV).