Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always! Philippians 4:4 tells us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” As we begin a new year, let us begin with a focus on rejoicing. Often, we think of rejoicing as celebrating something that has happened in our lives, usually something big or exciting. Although those are special times of rejoicing, God’s word tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. In fact, over and over, His word calls us to rejoicing.

Psalm 118:24 tells us, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Let us rejoice in each day as it has been created for us by God. Psalm 139 tells us, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). Each day is made by God, and He has a purpose and plan for each of us. If we follow Him by faith, He will daily guide us and lead us to His purpose for us.

Psalm 119:14 teaches us to rejoice in the statues of the Lord “as one rejoices in great riches.” Let us rejoice that we have His statues, His word, to reveal His tender love and character to us and also, His will and instructions for us.

In Romans 5:3-4 we read, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Let us rejoice in our suffering because through it the Lord promises it produces perseverance, character and hope in us. It creates the character of our Savior in us. Suffering gives us reason to rejoice in the Lord as it produces righteousness in us. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” In John 16:33, Jesus assures us of that very peace. He says, “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” Let us rejoice in the peace Jesus brings and in the suffering that produces righteousness and the character of God in us.

Our greatest reason for rejoicing is our salvation. Isaiah 61:10 says, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” We have celebrated the joy of Christmas and reflected on the hope of the season, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He came to earth to save us from our sins and as Immanuel, to dwell with us. This incredible gift of salvation is found in Christ alone. Let us rejoice that He took our place, paid for our sins, and offers the gift of eternal life to us.

As we begin this new year, let us focus on rejoicing in the Lord in all things. Let us rejoice in His great love for us, in His free gift of salvation, in His powerful word, and for His work and care in our lives.

Happy New Year!