REJOICING HEARTS ARE BLESSED

“BLESSED are the people who know the JOYFUL sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance” – Psalm 89:15                                      

REJOICING HEARTS are BLESSED because they bring God immense delight: “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” (Psa.89:15-16). The “joyful sound” speaks of the Joyful Call to Worship God. In many ways, God makes it possible for us to enjoy Him now and forever. No wonder Paul encouraged Believers: “Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, REJOICE!” (Phi.4:4). 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says: “REJOICE ALWAYS.” Rejoicing in the Lord is one major and proven way of practising the Presence of God!

It’s natural to rejoice when things are smooth-sailing, but capping the beatitudes is the description of a heart that rejoices in the face of persecution: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. REJOICE and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt.5:11-12).

Joyful and rejoicing hearts are a Divine Delight: they please God, but also enjoy Him. Such hearts live by this basic principle of the Christian Faith: “Man’s chief end is to GLORIFY GOD and to ENJOY HIM for ever! To glorify God makes perfect sense: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor.10:31). The second part is what we need fresh revelation on: We are meant to ENJOY GOD! Yes, His blessings and benefits certainly bring us joy; but does He, Himself? Psalm 37:4 says, “DELIGHT yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” How do we enjoy Someone who is invisible to natural eyes and inaudible to natural ears?

There is a place of serenity and solemnity in God’s Presence, with heads bowed, eyes closed, and arms folded to pray. God deserves the utmost reverence and respect. However, there is also room for laughter and joyful singing in His presence: “But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly” (Psa. 68:3). Enthusiastic praise of God, especially in the company of others, is an invigorating way to enjoy Him: “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Psa.100:1-2). We can revel in WHO God is – God of Goodness, Grace, and Love. We can celebrate WHAT He has done – supplying our needs, guiding the way, and surprising us with blessings we didn’t even ask for. We can lift our hands toward God, signifying our openness, and amplifying our connection to Him (Psa.63:4).

We can also take the celebration outside and enjoy God as the Creator and King of the universe, viewing the sky, contemplating the galaxies of stars in infinite space, and smiling at Him in wonder for each one of those celestial bodies under His control. Most significantly, we can enjoy God by taking delight in His Word: “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who DELIGHTS greatly in His commandments” (Psa.112:1). We can appreciate God for the strength, comfort, and peace His Word provides, and for those passages that ignite joy in us: “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the REJOICING of MY HEART” (Psa.119:111).

GOD can become our Ultimate Delight! We were created to worship Him and enjoy the glorious privilege of walking with and serving Him. It can be “fun” strolling with God, sharing Heart-to-Heart, rejoicing in Him, celebrating His works, revelling in His Presence, and communing with Him continually. What a delightful treat our Father has granted us, to nestle close to Him and experience eternal joy and pleasures: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psa.16:11). We find comfort and strength by joyfully worshipping God, walking in the Light of His countenance, and embracing Him face-to-face!