July 24 -- "Rejoicing in God's Goodness"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 26

"Rejoicing in God's Goodness"

We are exhorted over 200 times in the Bible to REJOICE. The word “rejoice” means to experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated; to express great joy or delight; to jump up and down spinning around in circles with great delight.  

When God calls upon us to rejoice, does that mean we are supposed to go around with a smile on our face all the time?  Are we supposed to deny our pain or sorrow or struggles?  Are we supposed to be a bubbly optimist at all times by “putting on a happy face” and acting like nothing is wrong?  No.  God doesn’t want us to pretend to be rejoicing.  He wants us to experience genuine joy and delight.  When God calls upon us to rejoice, He gives us a reason to do so. Here are just some of the reasons we should rejoice. 

·       Rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12)

·       Rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20)

·       Rejoice at God’s word (Psalm 119:62)

·       Rejoice in the wife of your youth (Proverbs 5:18)

·       Rejoice in the goodness of God (2 Chronicles 6:14)

·       Rejoice that the LORD reigns (1 Chronicles 16:31)

·       Rejoice that we have received reconciliation (Romans 5:11)

·       Rejoice and be glad in God’s steadfast love (Psalm 31:7)

·       Sing and rejoice that God dwells in our midst (Zechariah 2:10)

·       Rejoice and be glad when persecution comes, for your reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:12)

·       Rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2)

·       Rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you (Deuteronomy 26:11)

·       Rejoice that one day we shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:7)

·       Rejoice in the Lord, taking joy in the God of my salvation (Habakkuk 3:18)

The good news is that when God calls us to rejoice, He gives us the power to do so.  It is God’s Spirit within us that brings forth joy and rejoicing.  Joy is the fruit of the Spirit.  

In Nehemiah 12:43 we read, “And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy.”  God had done it.  And God can do it in your life too.  Simply take a moment to turn your heart to the Lord.  Turn your eyes upon Him.  Humbly ask Him for the joy of the Holy Spirit and He will make you rejoice with great joy.  “But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!” (Psalm 68:3)