Focus: Reasons For Rejoicing! (Pt.4)

Text: 1Sam.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."

God delights in seeing us rejoice in His goodness. The Scripture says, "Let the saints rejoice in goodness" (2Chron.6:41). Nehemiah wrote, "Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off" (Neh.12:43).

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies 2Chron.20:27

*We rejoice for divine security and goodness

The psalmist declares, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee" (Ps.5:11). Those who believe in and love the Lord are called upon to rejoice, and they rejoice in God's infinite ability to secure and defend them. The psalmist says again, "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice" (Ps.63:7). 

God is our protector. In Christ we are secure, and for that, we rejoice. Isaiah declares, "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" (Isa.61:10). God is pure goodness and utter beauty.

*We rejoice for loving and being loved in return

Paul says, "And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more" (2Cor.7:7). 

It is sweetening to the soul to love and be loved. Love rejoices the heart.

The church in Corinth stood with Paul in times of need and trouble. They cared for him, felt his pain, and supported his fellow laborers. They showed him love. Paul says, "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity" (Phil.4:10). It is proper for us to rejoice for feeling loved and cared for.

*We rejoice to see our godly lives drawing others to Christ

The psalmist says, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD" (Ps.122:1). I pray that we lead a life that will create hunger for God in others. Imagine the joy we feel to see people knock on our doors because they want us to lead them to Christ!

It is wonderful to know that God causes us to rejoice, and at the same time, He makes it possible for us to create our own joy through our obedience to and our collaboration with Him. God rejoices over us as well as us rejoicing in Him as our Savior, Shepherd, and Sovereign Lord. We have in us joy that is contagious; let's radiate joy for other's benefit. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter