Do you rejoice in your knowing that Jesus has risen from the dead? What does rejoicing mean to you? Is rejoicing only the feeling of happiness? Does rejoicing include making a choice? Would you believe it means both?
We often think of rejoicing as experiencing happiness or gladness. When something occurs that makes us happy, we rejoice. When we or a family member achieves a significant accomplishment, we rejoice.
But the rejoicing we often see within the gospels and letters of the New Testament also includes a choice. We can choose to rejoice. In fact, we are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord. This means we must choose to rejoice in Him, even when things do not go our way.
The disciples rejoiced in seeing Jesus after His resurrection. They rejoiced with Him in their presence. Yet, they learned not long afterward that they were to rejoice even when He left them. They were to rejoice because of what He had accomplished for them.
Therefore, we are also to rejoice. We are to rejoice by remembering that Jesus died and rose again for us. We are to rejoice in His promises. We are to rejoice in His teachings. We are to rejoice in knowing we will spend eternity with Him. As Paul states in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
I pray we all rejoice in the Lord. I pray we choose to rejoice even when things do not go our way. I pray each one of us remembers what Jesus has done for us and rejoices. Rejoice in the Lord. Choose to rejoice. Remember Jesus. Know that He loves you. Know that He lives for you.
John 20:6-7 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Marty Pressey 