By Sharon Tomlinson
As I read about those who are suffering from physical ailments, I remembered a recent lesson I heard. I am reminded that the Lord tells us to rejoice.
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou has afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Psalms 90:14-17).
Rejoicing Because of Healing
There are many instances of rejoicing in the scriptures. The people rejoiced after Jesus healed the woman who had an infirmity.
And all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.. (Luke 13:17)
Rejoicing Because of Salvation
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)Rejoicing Over Liberty in Christ
When they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. (Acts 15:30-31)It is easy to rejoice when
things are going well with us but our Father has told us we are to also rejoice
when things are not going so well. Following are a few examples of those
times.
Rejoice Even in Famine
Although this fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines: the labour of the olive shall fall, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab 3:17-18)
Rejoice During Persecution.
And when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they (apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:40-41)
Rejoice Even When Imprisoned.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them (Paul and Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; and at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them. (Acts 16:20,22)
(Another good example that we can teach no matter where we are).
Rejoice in Poverty
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor; yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor. 6:10)
Rejoice in Loss of Property
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Heb. 10:34)Even though it is much easier to rejoice in the good, we should all remember…
….In times of sickness
….Loss of loved ones
….Loss of jobs
….Persecution for Christ,
….Or any other suffering
….To lift up our voices in praise and rejoice that we have a better place and better things to come after this life is over.
ISBS Ladies
Daily Devotional
03/25/05
............Article 198............
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