As you welcome another day, are you rejoicing?

If you don’t feel like rejoicing, possibly you’re carrying yesterday’s stuff. Some days I have trouble moving past yesterday’s disappointments, and I find no reason to rejoice.

The Psalms overflow with rejoicing.

“I will be glad and rejoice in your love” (Psalm 31:7 NIV).

“Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation” (Psalm 35:9 NIV).

“I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5 NIV).

 “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High” (Psalm 9:1-2 KJV).

Hard truth: rejoicing is a decision of the will. Rejoicing, praising, and giving thanks are inseparable cousins. You won’t find one without the other.

Hard truth: rejoicing is a decision of the will. Rejoicing, praising, and giving thanks are inseparable cousins. You won’t find one without the other. Click To Tweet

David had plenty to worry and complain about, but he said:

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17 NIV).

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live…with singing lips my mouth will praise you” (Psalm 63:3-5).

David didn’t mention circumstances—only what the Lord had done.

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks forever” (Psalm 30:11-12).

Joy is fruit of the Holy Spirit directing my life (Galatians 5:22-23).

If you need a reason to praise, read through the Psalms and note every reference to what the Lord has done for you.

When you still can’t find a reason to rejoice, praise, or give thanks, offer your praise to the Lord as a gift. He is worthy!

When you can’t find a reason to rejoice, praise, or give thanks, offer your praise to the Lord as a gift. He is worthy! Click To Tweet

“Come, let us rejoice in Him!” (Psalm 66:6)

“Rejoice in the Lord!” (Psalm 32:11).

“Delight yourself in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4).

“My soul will boast in the Lord” (Psalm 34:2).

If I’m going to rejoice today, I’m going to rejoice in these circumstances—by a decision of my will.

“Sing hallelujah by anticipation!” (Charles Spurgeon, Streams in the Desert, February 16).

Don’t take today’s baggage into tomorrow. Give your cares to the Lord and rejoice!

Praise transforms. Tell me how it’s impacted your life. And please share this post with a friend who’s in a hard place.

© Dianne Barker 2018 (reprinted)