REJOICING RE-DEFINED: THE WHEN AND HOW OF REJOICING
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TEXTS: 1Thess 5:16-22, Phil 4:1-7, Psalm 16:1-11
INTRODUCTION
Not all temptations and trials faced in life are orchestrated by the devil. Some are prerequisite tests and examinations that will promote an individual to the next level or phase of the journey of life. Refuse to be like the Israelite of old who failed their test of life when it mattered most. God counted it unto them as an act of rebellion and swore in his wrath that they will not enter into his rest as he earlier promised their patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When it is time for your promotion God will set tests and examinations for your move to the next level in form of temptations and trials. If you don’t have the right attitude to the test, you will not be promoted. May you not fail your test of life when it matters most. Be keen and alert in the spirit so as to recognize the moment.
REJOICING RE-DEFINED
The book of Psalms in Chapter 16 further redefines REJOICING. It is a psalm that epitomizes confidence in God and in knowing who you really are in him.
Rejoicing is the consciousness of the presence of God. Verse 2 of Psalm 16 says
You are my Lord; my goodness is nothing apart from you.
When you are able to identify the unique gifts, talent and you are able to decipher the reason for your existence, it will be an easy task to identify and acknowledge the fact that God’s presence is the major ingredient for your rejoicing. A life without God is not existing, take God away from your life and you are a nonentity. Everything we have should be centered around God who is the giver of all that can be termed a possession.
Verse 3 of Psalm 16 says As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Excellence should be the core value of any believer. The devil testified of the excellent nature of Job because he was always conscious of the presence of God. The act of excellence can be built and nurtured to maturity because it is a virtue and it is a manifestation of the spirit of God. The blessings of Abraham are the greatest inheritance a man can ever possess. When you know that God is your portion, inheritance and future you should rejoice and be glad always, if you also possess the consciousness of God’s presence at all times you will be full of rejoicing, joy and nothing will shake or move you.
While Verse 3 confirms that we are saints of God on earth are excellent, verse 4 warns us not to hasten after other gods no matter the situation or else the sorrow and problems become multiplied. God must be enough for us. He is our portion and our destiny is in his hands.
Verse 5 confirms that the lines are falling unto us in pleasant places and we have a good inheritance. There is a portion that God has earmarked for us as our portion in our various fields of endeavor and Christ died in order for this inheritance to become ours. May we all discover and come into our portions in Jesus Name.
WHEN TO REJOICE:
- REJOICE IN EVERYTHING – ALL SITUATIONS
Phil 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
I Thess 5:18
In Everything Give Thanks; For This Is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for You.
You should rejoice when it is good, quarter to good, bad or ugly and you should learn to thank God for everything. In every situation learn to give thanks to God and stop being anxious. It is God’s will for us to give praise at all times.
REJOICE ALWAYS – AT ANY TIME AND AT ALL TIMES
Phil 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
1 Thess 5:16
Rejoice Always
- BE WISE IN REJOICING
David said in verse 1 of Psalm 34 that to bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. However, he had to feign madness when he was confronted by a matter of life and death before Achish the king of Gath while he was afraid and fleeing from King Saul in the wilderness. In verse 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
You must be wise like David and know how to beat the devil at his games and tricks. Be in tune with the Holy ghost and protect yourself if need be. Do not test the Lord your God by putting yourself in unnecessary danger that can be avoided. God expects his children to be knowledgeable, subtle, gentle and wise. Romans 13:4
HOW TO REJOICE:
- PURIFY YOURSELF: Be sure you are free of all baggage that can hinder effective rejoicing. Keep yourself pure and holy as the Lord has instructed.
- SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE FILTH OF THE NATIONS
- You must not follow the multitudes to do evil. Be the only man standing for Christ and the truth if need be. Don’t circulate false news or be a false witness to oppress any man, if you do so God’s wrath will be upon you.
Exo 23:1-3
1 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put
your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.
3 You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.
- Let’s uphold our heritage that we can win by righteousness –
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Pro 12: 28 In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
BE OF THE SAME MIND IN THE LORD – UNITY OF PURPOSE
There should be unity of mind and purpose for your rejoicing to be effective before God. Husband/wife, brothers and sisters, HoC and coy members etc. are not expected to hold grudges if offended. They should live in harmony and peace.
Phil 4:2-3
2 I entreat and advise Euodia and I entreat and advise Syntyche to Agree and to work in Harmony in the Lord.
3 And I exhort you too, [my] genuine yokefellow, help these [two women to keep on cooperating], for they have toiled along with me in [the spreading of] the good news (the Gospel), as have Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
REFUSE TO BE ANXIOUS
- Fear and faith cannot exist at the same time – Anxiety produces fear that robs a believer of confidence and total dependence on God.
1 Thess 5:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
- GIVE THANKS – IN YOUR WEAKNESS, DOWNTIMES, MOMENTS OF VICTORY, DURING WARFARE ETC.