Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. –Philippians 4:4

Notice what this passage of scripture does not say. It does not say “Rejoice in the Lord sometimes.” It does not say, “Rejoice in the Lord when everything is going your way.” It does not say, “Rejoice in the Lord when you feel like it.” It says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” And this is not just a suggestion. This is a commandment from the word of God.

Today, I am rejoicing in the Lord. I am rejoicing in who He is. In what He’s done. And in what He’s going to do. I’m not rejoicing because my life is perfect. I’m not rejoicing because I have all the answers, or because I feel like I’m back to normal, or because I know what the future holds. I am rejoicing because the Word tells me to rejoice. And the amazing thing is, that when I purpose to rejoice, I start to feel like rejoicing. I start to feel the presence of God on my life. I start to think of how much He’s done for me, the unrestrained blessings that have been poured out on me again and again, heaps upon heaps. I start to lay hold on His promises and claim them.

Today I was reading in Psalm 40 and I was so blessed by it, I am just going to post the whole thing and let it suffice for today. This is truly worth rejoicing over.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.