Rejoicing
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).
Rejoice evermore (1 Thess. 5:16).
The grace of God can make us sing when suffering (Acts 16:25), rejoice when persecuted (Acts 5:41), bless when cursed (Matt. 5:44), content when buffeted (2 Cor. 12:7–9), merry when saved (Luke 15:24), joyful when tried (2 Cor. 7:4), and lifted up when cast down (2 Cor. 4:9–11).
Payson, in his last days, said: “Christians might avoid much trouble and inconvenience if they would only believe what they profess, that God is able to make them happy without anything else. We live in a consumer based society that has bought the lie that if I could only have that or this I’ll be happy. They imagine that if such a dear friend were to die, or such-and-such blessings were to be removed, they would be miserable. Whereas God can make them a thousand times happier without them. We saw first hand from the poverty of Honduras that things do not bring happiness nor the pursuit of them. To mention my own case: God has been depriving me of one blessing after another, but as every one was removed He has come in and filled up its place. Now when I am a cripple and not able to move, I am happier than I ever was in my life before, or ever expected to be. If we coule believe this principal , we can spare a boatload anxiety that’s in the future”
Determination in exultation is a sign of grace. If we practice well, we shall sing harmoniously.
I. Rejoicing and Trusting goes hand in hand-----But let those that put their trust in thee rejoice. How could the psalmist say this? What was he saying about our God? HE”S TRUSTWORTHY!!!! Have you found Him this morning to be good to His word? It is when we put trust to His word can we be found in the land of the rejoicers. It has nothing to do with what we have or don’t have in our lives. It has everything to do with having Him. What are some of the things Satan attacks us with that keeps us in the land of mediocrity in our Christian lives?
A. Fear---- Fear is the opposite of trust because fear is unbelief.
1. Lack of provisions. Food , shelter, job . It is in this area that God gives us a tremendous promise that we can grab hold of and rejoice in. Matt.6: 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
2. Not being able to find God’s will---Matt 7: 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
God will not lead us out on a limb and leave us there. He will direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
II. Joy brings on shouting------ Ever had reason to shout?( tell of Guy at Promise keepers that was sitting next to us) People get all excited about football and basketball games and shout and holler and sometimes get beside them self with enthusiasm. They get happy when they win and sad when they lose. ( tell about renting room in Tenn and what lady said about Husband) This is not joy!!!!!! True joy is not dependent on what going on around your life.(Acts 16:25) 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
I don’t for one minute believe they were singing like some of us do some times so no one can hear us. I believe they were singing loud where those around would know that is was praises that was coming from a joyful heart. If a person is joyful they’re going to open it up and let it go. Amen?
III. Foundation of the joy---- “because thou defendest them”. We have an adversary that is in the business of stealing your joy. He is in the business of ruining our lives’. Jesus told Peter how He was concerned about Satan’s plan for his life. Jesus said in Luke 22:31 31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
How do we stand against that attack?
A. We stand on the foundation—God defends us! That is the foundation.-- ( tell of lady at Ethelsville that had great joy) She was happy when we were singing praises and preaching the truth. She understood what the Psalmist wrote in Psalms122:1-- 1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Have you got this foundation of joy in your life?
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