THE CHOICE TO REJOICE

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name THEY REJOICE ALL DAY LONG, and in Your righteousness they are exalted” – Psalm 89: 15-16

At any point in time and whatever the situation, we all have the CHOICE to REJOICE: “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name THEY REJOICE ALL DAY LONG, and in Your righteousness they are exalted” (v.15-16). The “joyful sound” is the shout of God’s people when they saw the Lord lifted high. Recall: we have been consistently encouraged to shout to God: “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” (Psa.47:1); “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! (Psa.100:1).Many times we shout, make noise, clap and cheer at sporting and social events. But when we come to church, we act like we’re at a funeral. This should not be the case, because we are meant to rejoice and shout about Jesus.

Knowing that rejoicing is a choice, the Psalmist declared: “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations” (v.1). There is always something to rejoice about. Rejoicing in the Lord is a recurring theme in the Psalms, an indication that Believers should be excited at all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. The world should see in us a people who rejoice daily in the Lord’s blessings. The Psalmist declared: “and the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD” (v.5a). If the rest of creation is perpetually engaged in Jehovah’s praise, what is my excuse or yours? Who can be compared to the Lord who rules the raging of the sea, and stills the rising waves? (v.9).

Paul, the apostle wrote from his incarceration in Rome, encouraging believers to rejoice always rather than complain or regret: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil.4:4). Paul didn’t rejoice about imprisonment; he rejoiced IN THE LORD – and that is the key! Whether you complain or rejoice is your choice! Complaining is a sign of doubting God’s goodness and faithfulness. It shows that we do not believe God is really who He says He is; we don’t trust Him enough or we fear He won’t come through for us. Such lack of faith puts up a barrier between us and Him, and cuts off the avenue of His blessings. Complaining is really lifting up the enemy. But when we praise we lift up God. Praising God in the midst of challenging circumstances opens up the avenue by which a fresh infusion of faith comes into our souls.

Rejoicing as a choice is not based on circumstances, but on the Lord and His goodness and grace. Circumstances change with the wind, but the Lord never changes. As we focus on Him, we can rejoice and shout praises to His name. His blessings come even in the hard times. He is faithful every step of the way. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we are to be joyful and glad as we walk with the King. It’s easy to do so when everything is going well. But the real deal is to be able to shout for joy when life has kicked us to the curb; to choose to rejoice if everything is going wrong!

So what do you say? Will you make the choice to rejoice in the Lord? Even when all hope seems to be dead; praising God releases His resurrection life to flow in us. Please declare this with me: Dear Lord, help me set my eyes on You. Help me remember that You are my Rock and my Fortress. Thank You for loving me and surrounding me with Your favor. I am so blessed. Lord Jesus, deliver me from complaints and regrets. Let me never fail to rejoice! Today is the day that the Lord has made. I shall rejoice in it! No matter what you are going through today, you can rejoice in Jesus all day long!