Our Family Time with God

Oct. 12, 2009

REJOICE!

Scripture Reading--1 Thessalonians 5:16

"Rejoice evermore."

Have you noticed how many times the words joy and rejoicing are mentioned in the Bible? Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." The word rejoice means to be full of cheer. Rejoice evermore means we should rejoice at all times. Our rejoicing doesn't depend on how we feel. Neither does it depend on circumstances. Joy is the fruit of being filled with the Holy Spirit ( Gal. 5:22 ).

It's interesting that God commands us to rejoice. Many commands tell us what not to do, but this command tells us what to do--REJOICE! Praise the Lord for this positive command.

The Bible tells us that being under the influence of alcohol is sin ( Eph. 5:18 ). Also sinful is not being under the control of the Holy Spirit. The command to rejoice depends on our obeying the command to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Someone has counted more than 550 references to joy and rejoicing in the Bible. The large number of references concerning rejoicing indicates that God wants His people to be joyful. Of all people, we have countless reasons to be joyful. We are too blessed to be depressed.

It's both normal and natural for humans to desire happiness. There is a season to laugh and a season to cry. In Ecclesiastes, the preacher said there's a season for everything. God wants us to rejoice in Him; happiness is a choice. We don't need to wait around for our emotions to kick in. By an act of our will, we can choose to rejoice now. Make a habit of rejoicing; become a chronic rejoicer.

QUESTIONS: Have you been rejoicing in the Lord today? If not, bow your head and confess your lack of rejoicing. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit right now? You can become empty of sin and self and become full of God's Spirit, if you will. Talk through your struggles, pray over these matters, and begin rejoicing.

--Harold Vaughan--