When rejoicing in the Lord always
“Rejoice always,” (1 Thess. 5:16)
Rejoice: To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult.
Rejoice always!
We are exhorted in the Bible to rejoice always and we should and must! As God’s redeemed children and followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we do have a lot to rejoice about! And, no matter our circumstances, we can always choose to rejoice and praise the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). If we are always filled with the Spirit, and the Spirit causes us to rejoice, then it follows that we will rejoice always.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4 ESV)
Reasons to rejoice always
Rejoice always because you trust in His holy Name
“For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.” (Psalm 33:21)
Rejoice always because you love Him
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:8 NLT)
Rejoice always because God has clothed you with the garments of salvation and righteousness
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isa. 61:10 ESV)
Rejoice always in God’s creation
“Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!” (Isa. 65:18 NLT)
Rejoice always because your name is written in heaven
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
Rejoice always in your undertakings and blessings
“There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deut. 12:7 )
Rejoice always in times of suffering
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,” (Rom. 5:3 ESV)
Therefore…
“But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.” (Psalm 68:3)
“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! (Psalms 119:1-9 ESV)