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REJOICING THROUGH IT ALL—What Scripture Tells Us
By Warren B. Smith
As challenging as it may seem at times, God’s Word tells us to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4) and evermore (1Thessalonians 5:16). The various Hebrew and Greek words for rejoicing range in meaning from calmly happy to exceedingly glad and jumping for joy. The Bible reminds us that God’s people should be a “happy” people because our God is the Lord (Psalm 144:15). We know that “though our outward man perish” yet our “inward man is renewed day by day. Therefore, we rejoice and give thanks for the “abundant grace” so mercifully bestowed upon us by God our Savior.
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:14-16)
Why do We Rejoice?
The old revered hymn Count Your Blessings reminds us that even in our darkest moments we are to rejoice and count our many blessings:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
There are so many blessings and so many reasons why we should rejoice always and evermore. Here are just a few:
Jesus Christ Came into the World to be Our Savior
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
His Name is Above All Names
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
All Things were Created by Him
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)
Jesus is the Propitiation for Our Sins
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14)
He Defeated Sin and Satan and Death on the Cross of Calvary
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)
He Has Given Us the Victory
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)
We Are Saved Because of Him
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
We Have Been Saved by His Grace Alone
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We Are the Children of God Through Faith in Him
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)
We Have Peace with God Through Him
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
He Gave Us His Life
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)
He Gave Us His Word
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
He Has Given Us the Gift of Everlasting Life
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
How do We Rejoice?
We Rejoice for this Day
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
We Rejoice in God’s Salvation
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. (Psalm 20:5)
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:4-6)
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous. (Psalm 118:15)
We Rejoice that God has Clothed Us with the Garments of Salvation
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)
We Rejoice in Christ Jesus
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)
We Rejoice in His Name
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. (Psalm 33:21)
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. (Psalm 89:16)
We Rejoice and Sing Praise to His Name
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. (Psalm 9:2)
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. (Psalm 68:4)
We Rejoice as We Seek the Lord
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. (Psalm 40:16)
We Rejoice in Suffering for His Name
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41)
We Rejoice in God’s Word
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psalm 119:162)
We Rejoice in His Testimonies
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. (Psalm 119:14)
We Rejoice in His Statutes
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:8)
We Rejoice in the Truth
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6)
We Rejoice When Others Walk in Truth
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father. (2 John 1:4)
We Rejoice Even in Heaviness
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. (1 Peter 1-6)
We Rejoice Even in Sorrow
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:10)
We Rejoice When We Partake in Christ’s Sufferings
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
We Rejoice Even Though We Don’t See Him
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:7-8)
We Rejoice in God’s Mercy
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities. (Psalm 31:7)
We Rejoice With Trembling
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11)
We Rejoice But Remain Alert for Evil Workers
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. (Philippians 3:1-2)
We Rejoice Because God is Our Help
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. (Psalm 63:7)
We Rejoice Because We Trust in the Lord and He Defends Us
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them. (Psalm 5:11)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28:7)
We Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
We Rejoice but We do not Forget the Days of Darkness
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 11:8)
We Rejoice When We are Hated and Reproached
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
We Rejoice When We are Persecuted
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
We Rejoice When There Seems Little to Rejoice About
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
We Rejoice Before God
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. (Psalm 68:3)
We Rejoice When the Righteous are in Authority
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2)
We Rejoice and Make a Joyful Noise
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. (Psalm 98:4)
We Rejoice in Hope
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…(Romans 12:12)
We Rejoice When We are Revived
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalm 85:6)
We Rejoice in the Lord and Shout for Joy
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)
We Rejoice With Them that Rejoice And Weep With Them that Weep
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)
We Rejoice After Sowing in Tears
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)
We Rejoice Because Jesus Went to the Father
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:27-28)
We Rejoice and We Suffer With the Body of Christ
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
We Rejoice When Christ is Preached
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:18)
We Rejoice in Every Good Thing the Lord Gives Us
And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee. (Deuteronomy 26:11)
We Rejoice and Give Thanks for His Holiness
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (Psalm 97:12)
We Declare His Works With Rejoicing
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. (Psalm 107:21-22)
We Rejoice that Our Names are Written in Heaven
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
We Rejoice in the Day of Christ
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16)
We Rejoice in the New Heavens, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (Isaiah 65:17-19)
We Rejoice Right to the End
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)
We Rejoice Evermore
Rejoice evermore. (1Thessalonians 5:16)
Beware of False Rejoicing
While Scripture tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and evermore, we are not to rejoice in things that are not from God. In today’s church, false teachers, false teachings, and false Christs abound. Godly rejoicing is based on a true relationship with our true Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. True rejoicing is the inward and outward expression of the Holy Spirit within us. We rejoice that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8-10). Godly rejoicing takes place in all circumstances—no matter what. It says in spite of everything, the Lord is with us and “it is well with my soul.” However, the city of Nineveh is a classic example of ungodly false rejoicing:
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. (Zephaniah 2:15)
The Bible warns us that we can be “zealously” affected by things that are not of God (Galatians 4:17). As with Nineveh, Israel’s ungodly false rejoicing also led to severe consequences:
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. (Isaiah 5:13-14)
In Revelation 3:1, Jesus underscored how the church in Sardis had a reputation for being spiritually “alive,” when in reality, it was spiritually “dead.”
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)
Let us not be deceived. Jesus warned that worldwide deception—not worldwide rejoicing and worldwide revival—would be the chief sign at the end of time (Matthew 24:3-5). While New Age teachers proclaim the coming of a great “Global Spiritual Awakening” and a “Planetary Pentecost,” deceived Christian leaders similarly proclaim the coming of a great “Global Spiritual Awakening” and a “Second Pentecost.” However, the Bible warns of global deception, the coming of Antichrist, and a planetary holocaust.
There is no legitimate worldwide revival poised on the threshold ready to break forth. What we are told in Scripture—if we choose to believe it—is that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” Yet, in spite of it all—and through it all—we are to rejoice in our Lord God who has mercifully warned us that these events will definitely transpire. His warnings are not intended to frighten or intimidate us, but to prepare us for what lies ahead. We are to continue in our faith and in the things of which we have learned and been assured. The apostle Paul states:
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. (2 Timothy 3:10-14)
True Rejoicing
People involved in true rejoicing expose false teachers rather than joining forces with them. They reprove spiritual deception rather than becoming a part of it. People involved in true rejoicing fear God, keep His Word, and do not look for signs and wonders or get involved in false rejoicing or revival. They “rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth.” They celebrate the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. People involved in true rejoicing endeavor to rejoice always and evermore.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (1 Chronicles 16:31-34)
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