Focus: Reasons For Rejoicing! (Pt.2)

Text: 2Sam.2:1

"And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."

Hannah rejoiced in what God had done for her. Her pain of many years was miraculously taken away. God made her childlessness a thing of the past. Other children followed after the birth of Samuel. God sweetened her life and made her son, Samuel, the priest and prophet of Israel. God gave her reasons for rejoicing.

Let's see more reasons God has given us for rejoicing.

*We rejoice for the grace of knowing, possessing and walking in the truth

Abraham's servant said, "Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth…" (Gen.24:27). Jacob said, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant…" (Gen.32:10). John says, "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father" (2Jh.1:4). He says again, "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth" (3Jh.1:3). Paul says, "Rejoiceth in the truth" (1Cor.13:6). 

Truth lightens up our minds and our hearts, and our paths.

*We rejoice in God's future

Paul says, "Rejoicing in hope" (Rom.12:12). It is the hope of an eternal bliss and a glorious future made possible by Christ. The author of Hebrews says, "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" (Heb.3:6). Paul, quoting from the Old Testament, tells us that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1Cor.2:9). 

Surely we rejoice in God's future and we wait eagerly for it.

*We rejoice for the grace to living godly in a godless world

Paul says, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward" (2Cor.1:12). Living a life of integrity in a disintegrated and fragmented world is truly by the grace of God, and we rejoice for God's enabling grace. 

We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We shine; we glow.

*We rejoice for being each other's asset

Paul says, "As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus" (2Cor.1:14). God wants you to be the reason why someone else is joyful. Let someone be proud of having you in his or her life! Let someone rejoice, knowing that you are there! 

Be the reason another Christian will rejoice! Yes, we rejoice in one another!

*We rejoice in being responsible and industrious

Paul says, "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another" (Gal.6:4). We must focus on delivering our God-given assignments, not to engage in unnecessary competitions and unhealthy comparisons. Our joy and pride come from being concentrated and committed, responsible and accountable. 

We are to compare ourselves with Christ, not with each other.

*We rejoice for souls won

Paul says, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1Thes.2:19). The believers in Thessaloniki were the fruits of Paul's labor in the Lord. They were the souls he had won to the Lord. They were his converts. He rejoiced in them. They were not only his joy, but also his crowns.

Who are your converts? Who and who can boast that they are in the kingdom of God because of you? Are you a soul-winner for Christ? 

There's so much joy and rejoicing in soul-winning, and God requires that we live winsome lives.

*We rejoice for productive labor

The psalmist says, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps.126:6). It is said that the sleep of a laboring man is sweet. We rejoice when we see our efforts yielding great effects. It makes us happy to know that we are not laboring in vain. God says to Israel, "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain…" (Isa.45:19). Indeed, we rejoice for productive labor. I pray that you reap the fruits of your work and rejoice in the blessings of industry.

Reasons for rejoicing abound in Christ, and I pray that your life be filled with joy - boundless joy. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter