Wow! Rejoice, that’s a great word. Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. The Word of God tells us to rejoice and then it says it again. Rejoicing should be something we do everyday. We cannot afford to let this slip in our lives. We live in a very negative world and so we are seeing things get worse and worse. That should be no surprise to us. The Word of God tells us it is going to happen, but our solution is to keep our affection and attention focused on Jesus. We are called to walk according to the Word of God. II Corinthians 5:7 says, (For we walk by faith, not by sight). So often people get joy and happiness mixed up. Happiness can be very fleeting. Happiness comes from our emotions. If all is well and life is good we will be happy, but rejoicing is of the spirit. The Word of God tells us that joy is a fruit. Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. It is also a characteristic of the Kingdom of God. Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. We can rejoice because God is good! He has redeemed us from hell. He bore sickness and disease for us. He provides peace that passes ALL understanding and joy unspeakable and full of glory. He supplies all of our needs ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY! Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Do you get it? Rejoicing is not based on how we feel, it comes from the spirit. It just flows from deep down inside of us. It doesn’t matter what our day is like. All hell could have just broken loose against you, but you can still rejoice because it is not based on you. It’s not about you. It’s about Him! It’s about Jesus. He has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, according to II Peter 1:3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. I want you to take note that it is through the knowledge of Him. We must get into the Word of God. As we spend time in the Word of God we will change the way we think, which in turn changes the way we believe which changes the way we act. You must realize that you will become like who you hang out with. If we are hanging out with Jesus, in prayer and in the Word continually, I mean live, dwell in, remain in God’s presence then we will live a life of rejoicing. We will be totally immersed in thankfulness. Thankfulness leads to rejoicing.

The more I get into the Word of God, the more I see what Jesus has provided for me. I didn’t realize all that Jesus had done for me when I was born again. No one does. We have to grow in our knowledge of His provisions. I am still growing in that today.

God’s Word tells us to rejoice and I am going to rejoice whether I understand, agree or not. The Word of God says in Isaiah 1:19: If we be willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land. I want everything that God has provided for me. I decided a long time ago that my Father knows best.

Rejoicing is for our benefit. It causes us to see things from God’s perspective instead of our limited thinking.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (The Message) Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain! Did you notice the last verse about taking heart and gaining strength? You see we must realize we are not living life in our own strength. We are living in God’s strength. God doesn’t want us to be self sufficient. He wants us to rely on Him.

I recorded a song written out of Habakkuk 3 entitled I Will Rejoice in My God Again. It is a powerful song, basically saying I will rejoice no matter what happens to me because Jesus is my reward. If you don’t have my I Rely CD I encourage you to get it.

So we see from Habakkuk 3 that we don’t rejoice because all is going well. We rejoice because God is good and His Word tells us to. If you think about Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16) after they were beaten and their feet fast in stocks they rejoiced and they sang loud (with power) because the other prisoners heard them. God sent an earthquake and everyone’s bands were loosed. God took notice when Paul and Silas rejoiced and He will take note when you do also. So purpose in your heart to always rejoice in the Lord, to walk by faith and not by sight or feelings and you will be blessed.