At the Beach

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” we read in Psalm 118:24.

Looking up The Collins Concise Dictionary, I find that “rejoice” means “to be glad”.

The Bible not only tells us about the duty of rejoicing, but the Bible tells us also about instances of rejoicing.

A. IT IS OUR DUTY TO REJOICE

a.  First Thessalonians 5:16:

Here we are told to be ALWAYS joyful. Is that not quite a challenge for us?

b.  Philippians 4:4:

We are told to rejoice always. We are told to rejoice always in the Lord. The apostle repeats it. Why? It is very important and that we don’t forget. Rejoicing in the Lord should not be all that difficult.

c.  Romans 12:15:

THE FAR NORTH OF NEW ZEALAND: Coopers Beach on the East Coast.

Here we are commanded to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “mourn with those who mourn”. What is easier to “rejoice with those who rejoice” or “mourn with those who mourn?”

d.  Luke 10:20:

Here the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that we are not to rejoice that the spirits submit to us, but that our names are written in heaven. A question: Can YOU rejoice that your name is written in heaven?

B. AND HERE ARE INSTANCES OF REJOICING WE FIND IN THE BIBLE.

a.  Romans 5:2:

The Apostle Paul is rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. The saints in Rome are also rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. I am also rejoicing in the hope of the Glory of God. What about YOU?

b.  Acts 8:39:

The second part of Acts chapter eight tells the story of Philip and the Ethiopian, and in verse 39 we are told that the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing”.

c. Acts 16:34:

I love the story of Paul and Silas in prison in Acts chapter 16, and who does not? And why was the jailer full of joy? Because he had come out of darkness into light with his whole family.

d. Luke 1:47:

Here Mary is rejoicing in God her Savior. From verse 48 in Luke chapter one you can read why.

e. Matthew 2;10:

Magi from the east rejoiced. Why were the overjoyed? Because they saw the star.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who lived from 1749-1832 said, “Nothing is worth more than this day.”