REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE

The Bible exhorts us to rejoice and to be people who rejoice even in adversity. God wants a happy and blessed people. He wants people with right hearts and good attitudes. When we rejoice in the Lord, it pleases God, runs off the enemy and empowers the one rejoicing. It is not the premise of this message, that Christians should be joyous at all times but that “rejoicing in the Lord” should be part of our basic Christian life-style.

Let's look at some of the right and wrong times to rejoice.

In the following verses we see it as part of the correct way to live.

• Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

For there is a time to laugh and dance as well as a time to cry and mourn as we see in Ecclesiastes.

• Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance...

And we see that we are to weep with those who weep; just as Jesus did with Mary and Martha upon the death of their brother, Lazarus (John 11:32-35).

• Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

We see that “true and pure love” from 1 Corinthians 13, while it loves what is good and right, it does not rejoice in things that are ungodly and sinful.

• 1 Corinthians 13:6 ... does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth...

We are not to rejoice at the calamities of our enemies.

• Proverbs 24:17-18 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

We are not to rejoice that we have power over our enemies.

• Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

From the preceding verses we see that we are to rejoice because our names are written in heaven!

In the Old Testament we can see that on Holy Days and in meeting the Lord's sacrificial requirements, the Lord wanted them happy during those times.

• Deuteronomy 12:10-12 “But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, then there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord. And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you.”

 

• Deuteronomy 16:13-14 "You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.”

 

• Deuteronomy 27:6-7 “You shall build with whole stones the altar of the Lord your God, and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the Lord your God.”

Look at the heart of God's people in 1 Chronicles and other Books.

• 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!

 

• 1 Chronicles 16:31-34 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

 

• Psalms 5:11-12 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.

In the following verses, we see “joy” listed as the second fruit of the Spirit. The “fruit” of the Spirit is the manifestation of the character of God. And when we are born-again, our spirits become as we were first made in the image of God (the flesh nature is still with us but our spirits become as they were intended).

• Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

As the people of God, we have so much to thankful for and to rejoice about.

There is a difference between being happy because things are going well and choosing to rejoice in the Lord, despite it all. One is a “temporary joy” and the other is a “purposeful choice” and should be our way of life. At times it may be difficult but doing so is extremely beneficial.

It is impossible to choose to rejoice in the Lord without being thankful and trusting in Him. Having a thankful heart that trusts God is foundational for our daily walk and opens the door for us to be able to choose to rejoice in the Lord. People that are thankful to the Lord and trust Him, are people who choose to do so. Anyone can look at all the negative around us and be depressed. Instead, we can choose to be thankful, to see the good, the blessings and mercy the Lord has bestowed upon us. We know our Lord and His Word and we know He has never failed those who have put their trust in Him. And once we achieve being thankful and remember to trust the Lord, then we can even choose to rejoice in Him. Hard times come to everyone, rich or poor, no matter what class, stature or education; no one is immune to hard times in this life. But as Christians, it is this type of mindset that makes the difference and opens the door for God to be able to work in our circumstances.

One of the greatest examples in the Bible of this is King David who was great at holding fast, trusting the Lord and praising his way through life. There were certainly times when he fought depression, but He always chose to gird himself up and trust the Lord. He knew His Lord and trusted with all his heart that the Lord would see him through, again and again. The years between being anointed to be king and when he was finally crowned were tremendously hard. King Saul wanted to kill him and David refused to take the throne by force. It was his conviction that the Lord would remove Saul and put him on the throne, in the Lord's time. And no matter how terrible it was, David held fast.

Two inspiring examples of the New Testament who chose to rejoice no matter how terrible the circumstances, were Silas and Paul. Once, Paul and Silas were in jail and as they sang and praised the Lord in the middle of a cold, dark night in a horrid, ugly dungeon their chains broke off. We can all learn from their experience, that many times in life, when we sing and praise the Lord despite the hard places we find ourselves in, our chains will break off too.

Paul the apostle, was shipwrecked, stoned unto death, flogged and beaten, imprisoned in filthy, vile circumstances, went hungry and so much more... And even from the various terrible circumstances he was repeatedly in, he rejoiced in the Lord and exhorted us to do the same.

How many of us in this day and age, can say that we have suffered anything like Peter, Silas and Paul did? Sometimes we get frustrated and depressed over things that are certainly bad, but can it compare to what our heroes and so many of the early church went through? As it was for them, so it is for us: it is all about choice. We can choose to be thankful and we can choose to keep our peace and rejoice in the Lord despite our circumstances.

Rejoicing in the Lord is not merely rejoicing. Rejoicing in the Lord is being thankful to the Lord no matter what. It is trusting in the Lord. It is honoring Jesus for what He did for us. It is honoring Father God for who He is. All of us have so much to be thankful for. Salvation, homes, a/c and heat, health, family, friends, employment, transportation, etc. Sometimes in life, we lose our homes or health, loved ones, jobs or other things near and dear to us. Sometimes we go through hard times of stress. And it is during these times, that it is more important than ever to make the right choices. Choosing to be thankful that the Lord is with us, even in our adversity. Choosing to rejoice that God's goodness is still with us, even if we have to suffer some for a while. Taking joy in knowing that whatever hard time we are in, that it is only temporary; or even if we finish our race with poor health such as being a paraplegic or something else harsh, choosing to trust the Lord and rejoice in Him will see us through.

There is part of a verse in Nehemiah 8:10 that was translated into most Bibles as “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” But in one of the Jewish versions, it says it like this: “Do not be sad, for your rejoicing in the Lord is the source of your strength”” Nehemiah 8:10b (The New JPS Translation Tanakh) This is so incredibly accurate and true! There is huge strength in “your rejoicing in the Lord.” It is a “true source of our strength” to all the children of God. The Lord spoke this through Nehemiah when the Jews had come back from being captive Babylon and had really been through tremendous hardships and were trying to re-establish Jerusalem and their spiritual relationship with God. They had found part of some of the books of the Law and on a holy day, were being blessed by the reading of the Word. However, upon hearing it, they became sad at realizing how much needed to be corrected. But the Lord comforted them through Nehemiah and gave them instructions to have a day of celebration and not mourning. “He further said to them: 'Go, eat choice foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to whoever has nothing is prepared; for the day is holy to the LORD. Do not be sad, for your rejoicing in the Lord is the source of your strength.” If anyone ever needed strength, these people did. They were the remnant there to rebuild the walls and the city of Jerusalem and just like today, there was much opposition that did not want to see that happen. Praise the Lord that despite the opposition, the Lord saw them through.

Sometimes, it is not just a matter of choosing to rejoice in the Lord but in first choosing to “not be sad” as in the verses above, Nehemiah 8:10b, “Do not be sad for your rejoicing in the Lord is the source of your strength.” Sometimes, many of us need to seriously make the choice that we do not want to be sad or depressed. Living with sadness, frustration and heaviness can all too often become part of our lifestyles. In order to overcome it, we must address “sadness” for what it is in our own particular circumstances.

What is sadness?

There is sadness (to be unhappy or in a state of grief) and then there is sadness (deep misery and depression). The Bible talks about a spirit of heaviness. For those that have fought great depression, they surely know what a spirit of heaviness is. It feels like literal weight is upon them. There can be a literal heaviness with some depression. And there is only one way to overcome it and that is spiritually. By truly trusting God and His Word and love, by choosing to look for and see the positive and de-emphasizing the negative (refusing to give it attention in our minds) and praising the Lord despite it all, the heaviness has to go. People can take drugs to medicate themselves to be able to stand it, or read all kinds of books about positive thinking. But for the spirit of heaviness, it has to be overcome spiritually which is what we do when we in sincerity and truth, genuinely trust the Lord, hold fast with a thankful heart and even praise Him despite our circumstances.

Here are a few verses about sadness as heaviness:

• Psalms 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. (Be it known that by then end of the Psalm, he was girding up by choosing to praise and trust the Lord)

 

• Psalms 119:28 My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your Word.

 

• Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

In the book of Isaiah, we see him prophesying of Jesus. This shows the Lord looking into the future and what He would be accomplishing.

• Isaiah 61:1-3 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

It is interesting that it says, “garment of praise” for “the spirit of heaviness.” Everyday when we get up, we all choose what we will physically wear for the day. We choose our physical garments. We wear clothes for many reasons, such as protection from the elements, comfort, looks, etc but their main purpose is to cover us so that we are not exposed. We need to realize that spiritually we do the same. Except all that is necessary to “not have a good day” is to just get up and go in the fleshly nature. We must start our days prayerfully and as unto the Lord and part of this process, is choosing the garment of praise. The wisdom of our born-again inner-man must rule over our fallen human nature. By choosing rightly, to sincerely serve the Lord and sincerely love and praise Him, we not only bless the Lord but we are blessed and are a blessing to those around us. Our spirits, while not seen by our physical eyes, must be filled with the Holy Spirit and have the Word of God in us and working through us daily otherwise we are spiritually like out-of-shape, malnourished weaklings. We can survive or we can thrive. The choice is up to us. We must daily, truly live our lives unto the Lord, with full spiritual tanks so that we can overcome the many obstacles of life.

The “spirit of heaviness” can be more than just heavy sadness. Sometimes the term “spirit” is used to describe “attitude” but it can be used to refer to “demons” also. This message is not to argue which it is in this particular verse of Isaiah because either way, it has to be overcome. If it is in someone's particular case demonic, then we know the spirit can be rebuked in the name of Jesus and it will have to go. But if one does not then change their situation by taking their focus off the negative and instead trusting and praising the Lord, then when the spirit comes back to see if it can make its way into its old home, it may very well be allowed back.

• Matthew 12:43-45 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

In the above verses, the demon was forced to leave. But the demon later comes back looking for his comfortable place and nothing is changed but he finds “an empty swept and orderly house” so he is still free to torment and this time is allowed to come with other evil ones that are even more evil than him. We must take the empty, clean and orderly house and fill it with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and live trusting and praising God and even rejoicing in the Lord's love and goodness. And when one does such, no demon will ever want to or be able to hang around. A Christian who chooses sadness over trusting and praising God, opens the door to depression and if one continues to do so, can easily be giving themselves over to a spirit of heaviness.

We, as Christians in general cannot see in the spirit. But so much goes on there. We all know that we are spirit beings living in physical houses. And we are taught in our educational systems how our physical minds work in coordination with our physical nerves that run throughout our physical bodies. In a secular world, we cannot expect them to teach about spirituality. But that which is spiritual is the most important and vital part of our lives. But many times we encounter demons and/or the demons that motivate others against the Light in us. And fighting a spiritual war in the physical does not phase demons. We must fight spirit against spirit. And one way that children of God, grow strong in their spirits, is by being intimately close to the Lord, by genuine daily submission to the Holy Spirit and God's Word. And an intense part of this occurs when we are sincerely thankful to God, when we truly trust Him and His integrity, and when we genuinely praise Him and rejoice in Him despite our circumstances. This elevates us to victory. If we only say we serve God in our minds, it does not change anything. We have to be sincere and truthful from our innermost beings (our spirits) and only then does it have the power in the spirit. Only then does God receive it and only then does the devil fear it. This can be a hard thing to understand but it is so very true.

• Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk knew His God and what he was talking about. Even when all is bleak and seems to be going wrong, it is best to rejoice in the Lord and be happy in the God of our salvation. We must stop and realize that the Lord is our strength and as the Lord did for Habakkuk, He will also make our feet like the hind feet of a deer and we will walk in victory again.

It is so important to realize that on the cross, Jesus not only bore our sins, but he bore our sorrows.

• Isaiah 53:3-6 “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

But just as with salvation, while it is available, the benefit of having the Lord bearing our griefs and sorrows, only becomes ours when we do our part. And our part in this case is to 1. Sincerely choose against sadness and despair 2. Choose to sincerely gird ourselves up with trusting in God and praising Him no matter how hard it is around us. 3. Rejoice in the Lord's goodness because He is just as worthy when we are in the valley as when we are on the mountain. And when we do, we please the Lord and open the way for Him to intervene in our circumstances. The heaviness cannot stay on a sincere child of God with a thankful heart that is trusting and praising God. That yoke of heaviness breaks under the anointing of the Holy Spirit when we make these right choices.

In Isaiah, the Lord said He would bring “the oil of joy for mourning” and garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3).

• Isaiah 10:27 “It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.”

The “anointing oil of joy” for us can be “the anointing that comes from the Holy Spirit” as we sincerely put our hope and trust in our Lord and start to praise Him.

The next verses in Isaiah are about fasting the right way, but they also show the heart of the Lord. If it seems needful, by all mean fast correctly as prescribed in Isaiah 58 and see the mighty hand of the Lord work.

• Isaiah 58:6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

There is no greater example of keeping one's peace and counting suffering worth it, than our Lord Jesus. What gave Him the strength to make it through all the suffering leading to and from the crucifixion? We know He was prayed up. We know that He had been faithful in His mission. But we can also know from these verses following in Hebrews 12, that He knew His purpose and what His goal was. He endured it all for what would be accomplished. He was the One who sold it all, for the pearl of great price. He was the One, who counted pleasing the Father more than anything else. He was the One who knew that He would bear our griefs, sins, sickness and sorrows so that we could be made whole. He counted it “worth it” to Him to take our punishment to spare us. And it was all worth it to Him.

• Hebrews 12:2-3 ... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

 

• Hebrews 12:2-3 (AMP) Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

Jesus had a choice. And He made it before we were even created. He knew what mankind (corporately and each individually) would do and the price He would have to pay for us. And He valued us so much, that “He counted it joy” He showed us to be strong, keep our eye on our goal, stay true to the Father and to finish our race faithfully. Surely, He endured the Cross for the joy that was before Him and if we will but choose to follow Him, we can endure much in this world in the same manner.

Sometimes choosing to rejoice in the Lord may seem like the most difficult thing there is. Sometimes we need to have a time of mourning or endure some pain in life. But it should only be short term. We must choose not to be sad as the Lord said in Nehemiah. And then choose to rejoice in the Lord, trusting in His strength and knowing that His Word is true and that He is always with us. The positive thinking of the world is just that, positive thinking. But loving and serving the Lord in spirit and in truth is spiritual. And the power that comes from trusting and praising the Lord and even rejoicing in Him, is like nothing else. Demons cannot stand it. Believers and those around them are literally “lifted up” and the Father's heart (Jesus' too) smiles with delight in His child. How worth it is, to rejoice in the Lord!

Bible Verses Relating to Joy and Rejoicing in The Lord

• Matthew 5:11-12 "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.”

 

• Matthew 25:23 “His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'”

 

• Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

 

• Luke 6:22-23 “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

 

• Luke 24:50-53 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

 

• John 15:9-12 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

 

• John 17:13-14 “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

 

• Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

 

• Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

• Romans 5:6-11 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

 

• Romans 14:17 ... for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

• Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

• Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 

• Philippians 2:14-18 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

 

• Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

• Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

• Colossians 1:10-12 ... that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

 

• 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”

 

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

• Hebrews 12:2-3 ... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
  

 

• James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

 

• 1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

 

• 1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

 

• Revelation 19:5-9 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

Old Testament

• Deuteronomy 12:6-7 “There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.”

 

• 1 Samuel 2:1-10 And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. "Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble. The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; from heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed."

 

• 1 Chronicles 16:28-34 Give to the Lord, Oh families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

 

• Nehemiah 8:10b “Do not be sad, for your rejoicing in the Lord is the source of your strength”

 

• Psalms 5:11-12 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.

 

• Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.

 

• Psalms 31:1-8 In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

 

• Psalms 33:18-21 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

 

• Psalms 35:9-12 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones shall say, "Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?" Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things that I do not know. They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul.

 

• Psalms 40:16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"

 

• Psalms 63:3-7 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

 

• Psalms 68:3-5 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.

 

• Psalms 86:3-5 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

 

• Psalms 97:1-6 The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad! Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.

 

• Psalms 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

• Psalms 119:162-163 I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law.

 

• Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

 

• Isaiah 61:10-11 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

 

• Jeremiah 31:11-14 “For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord-- for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord."

 

• Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things!

 

• Habakkuk 3:18-19 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

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