Deuteronomy 16:15
“Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”
INSIGHT
-The first part of this chapter outlines the various feasts ordained by God and the regulations that govern the mode of celebration. The feast of Passover was celebrated in commemoration of the Israelites salvation from the Egyptian oppressors. The festival of weeks was a form of thanksgiving to the Lord as the Israelites offered a portion of their produce to the Lord. The feast of Tabernacles was also a way of thanking God for blessings that He bestows upon His people that their joy may be full. All these feasts were to be celebrated once a year at a place where the Lord chose. It was necessary that everyone would take part with their families, servants, foreigners and the less fortunate. It was forbidden that the Israelites should appear before the Lord empty-handed but each one should offer a portion of sacrifice according to God’s blessings. As Christmas approaches fast, let us remember to rejoice in the Lord and celebrate with our families, friends and the less fortunate in our society. It is in God’s design that we should celebrate with one another and dwell as brothers and sisters in unity. It is necessary to celebrate God’s faithfulness and give thanks to Him, despite the challenges that we might have gone through this year. Let us focus on the positive aspects of our lives and pray without ceasing for whatever we are trusting God for, for He is a faithful God. As we celebrate with one another let us not forget to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. God calls us to rejoice in Him always, for He is good and His love endures forever.
PRAYER
We give thanks to You Lord for You are good and Your love endures forever. We give thanks to You God of gods and Lord of lords for You are good and Your love endures forever. You alone have done great wonders; Your love endures forever. By Your understanding You have made the heavens and the earth; Your love endures forever. You have made the great lights; Your love endures forever. The sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to govern the night; Your love endures forever. You struck down the first born of Egypt and brought Israel from among them; Your love endures forever. Thank You Jehovah for this far that You have brought us; Your love endures forever. Thank You for this day that You have made; we rejoice and are glad in it. You have kept us alive this far; Your love endures forever. You have given us good health despite the corona virus pandemic; Your love endures forever. You have fed us and our families despite the challenges that have come with COVID-19; Your love endures forever. You have protected us and kept us safe; Your love endures forever. You have blessed us and increased us; Your love endures forever. Take away our fears and troubles for Your love endures forever. Take away our tears and pain for Your love endures forever. Provide a way of thanksgiving and rejoicing this Christmas for Your love endures forever. Make a way for the widows, widowers, orphans and the less fortunate for Your love endures forever. Heal all those who are sick and suffering for Your love endures forever. Uplift all those who are unemployed and unmarried for Your love endures forever. Make a way in our jobs, businesses, leadership, churches, schools and economy for Your love endures forever. Reconcile all families and friends that are not in good books for Your love endures forever. You are a God of second chances; Your love endures forever. You are a good God; Your love endures forever. You are a merciful Father; Your love endures forever. We give You all the glory and honor Jesus; Your love endures forever. Amen
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
INSIGHT
-The background for this scripture is the Babylonian exile, which began in 587 B.C. when Babylonia destroyed Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people into exile in Babylon. Later in 538 B.C., after Babylon fell to king Cyrus of Persia, he issued an edict that made it possible for the exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. A prophecy through the scripture; describes the joy of Christmas where Jesus came in a lowly state, riding on a donkey, on a colt, bringing forth salvation to His people. Zion is the mountain upon which Jerusalem is built, and thus the daughters of Zion have cause to rejoice for the Messiah has come to dwell among them in righteousness. During the triumphant entry, they rejoiced because Babylon has fallen. We join in rejoicing for the Messiah has triumphed; bringing forth redemption from sin and victory from oppression. We rejoice because a King was born and dwells among us and we beheld His glory. We rejoice because Christ is the Light of our salvation and in Him there is no darkness. We rejoice because Christ is exulted high above every other creature in heaven and on earth, and in His name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. We rejoice because we have been justified through faith in Christ and have peace with Him, and for this reason we boast in the hope of His glory.
PRAYER
We rejoice in You Lord at all times and Your praises are always on our lips. We glory in You Lord and exalt Your name forever. Only You deserve our worship, only You deserve our praise. At Your name Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ You are Lord to the glory of God the Father. We praise You and rejoice in You forever. Forgive us Jesus for the many times we have gone astray and not followed Your holy will. Cover us with Your precious blood and deliver us from all unrighteousness we humbly beseech You. Forgive us for our faithlessness and increase our faith. Pray and intercede for us Jesus that our faith in You may never fail that we may obtain our crowns. Only You Jesus are worthy, only You are able, heal all those who are sick in hospitals and home and touch them by Your hand of grace. Healing is our portion in You Jesus, we rejoice in You. Victory and favor is our portion in You Jesus, we rejoice and are glad in You. Joy and love is our portion in You Jesus, we exult Your holy name. Peace and prosperity is our portion, we rejoice upon You our Prince of peace and Lord of lords. Salvation and eternal life is our portion; all our hope is in You Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May You the light of Your salvation reach all Your people, that we may all rejoice with You in Your heavenly kingdom Jesus. May the grace grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the love of God; and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; be with us now and forever more. Amen
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.”
INSIGHT
-Anxiety is like a fire, that ignites our hopes and burns down our vision. Few of us are strangers to anxiety. It creeps in over big and little things, gnawing away at our insides. Some of us often feel anxious about our finances and many questions revolve around our minds like:- How can I make my monthly bills? What if I lose my job? How will we put the kids through college? How can we meet our medical bills? How will we ever save enough for retirement? What if the economy fails? Others feel anxious about our health and ask:- What if I or my loved ones get COVID-19, cancer and other diseases? Will those who are sick in my family or among friends get healed? Many parents are anxious about their children and ask. Will they turn out okay? Will they be safe in this crime-ridden world? Will they stay pure and avoid drugs and sexual immorality? Will they be able to get into college and then get a decent-paying job or business? Will they marry a godly person and have a happy home? Some ask questions like:- What if I fail? Will this difficult situation that I am faced with ever come to an end? Will I ever be successful in life? Will I accomplish my purpose here on earth? Will I, my family members and friends receive the gift of salvation and go to heaven? I’m I walking right with God? Many are the questions in our hearts but the Lord reminds us to take it all to Him in prayer and supplications, while giving thanks. Jesus in Matthew 6:34 reminds us that, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”. As we approach Christmas, let us have joyful hearts and cast all our burdens and anxieties unto Jesus for He cares for us. He knows all ours needs before we ask Him and His love for us has no end. He is our God and only His peace can guard our hearts and minds from all anxiety and fear. If we cast all anxieties unto Jesus and rely on His peace, we have reason to rejoice in Him again and again, for His faithfulness and love endures forever.
PRAYER
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You LORD; let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” Only You LORD deserve to be worshipped and praised. Only You deserve to be magnified. We exalt You LORD, our God and King, and praise Your name forever and ever. Every day we will praise You and extol Your name. Everyday we will rejoice in You and magnify Your holy name, for You are our God of peace and there is none other but You. Only You are able to take away our fears and anxieties. Only You are able to cure our troubles and cares. We cast all our burdens and cares unto You Jesus for You care for us. Release our hearts and minds from all forms of anxiety and fill us with Your peace that surpasses all understanding we humbly implore You. We surrender all to You Jesus, for You love us. Thank You for loving us Jesus with an everlasting kind of love, give us the grace to love according to Your divine will. Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Thessalonians 2:19-20
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
INSIGHT
-We have more reason to stand fast in the Lord through rejoicing with the hope of glory. Having been promised crowns that can be described as either crowns of achievement or stephanos like the ones given to an athlete; who has won the race, or the ones given to kings or diadems. The crown of rejoicing falls under the later class for it is through faith that we have been saved and not by our own works lest anyone should boast. Other crowns include:- crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), Incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25), crown of life (James 1:12) and crownof glory (1 Peter 5:2-4). We are then called to rejoice in the Lord for He is ever present with us and He has won victory for us. At His second coming, we shall see Him just as He is and He shall reward us with the crown of rejoicing for His love for us endures forever. He shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things shall pass away (Revelation 21:4). Let us then not loose hope in life but hold fast our trust in the Lord as we focus our eyes on the things above and not on the things below. Let us also walk as Jesus walked, as we rejoice in Him always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will through Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
PRAYER
Bless the LORD O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all our iniquities. Who heals all our diseases. Who redeems our life from destruction. Who crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Who satisfies our mouths with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. We bless You LORD for You have been good to us. You have been merciful to us dear Jesus. You have been gracious to us Father, we bless Your holy name. Thank You LORD for this far that You brought us and the far that You are taking us. Thank You for journeying with us to the close of this year in Your peace. We have seen Your hand of grace upon our lives, families, churches and nation. We believe that we shall see Your hand of grace when You come again in glory, and we shall receive our crowns of rejoicing. All our hope and trust is in You Jesus. Grant us the grace to fight the good fight, keep the faith and finish our course. We thank You Jesus and exult Your holy name. Be with us as we plan to celebrate Christmas, we invite You Master to celebrate with us. Bless all those who have nothing to eat this season and lack the basic needs that Your divine provision may reach all of them. Increase in us wisdom and faith Jesus that we may not loose heart but continue to serve You in whatever capacities that You have empowered us. Guide us through Your eyes of compassion that we may share whatever that You have given us through love. Give us and all those who will be traveling journey mercies, and cover us with Your precious blood. Go ahead of us and make every crooked path straight. Wipe away all our tears dear Jesus and satisfy our mouths with good things. Renew our Strength Holy Spirit that we may soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint; for all our hope and trust is in You. Satisfy our hearts Jesus with Your love we humbly implore You. We bless You and we honor You, and it is in Jesus name we pray trusting and believing. Amen
Matthew 2:10
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
INSIGHT
-The wisemen rejoiced when they saw the star of Jesus. Let us also rejoice in the Lord for to us a Child is born, a Son is given, and the government is on His shoulders. He is the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and His government of peace has no end.
SUMMARY
God has called us to rejoice in Him. As we discussed earlier, Deuteronomy chapter 16 reveals that; God ordained various feasts to inculcate a culture of worship and rejoicing among various calls of people. Among them were Jews, foreigners and their servants who were instructed to unite together and worship the Lord. These feasts including:- the feast of Passover, festival of weeks and feast of Tabernacles. This being a season of Christmas, we are called to celebrate the birth of Jesus in our hearts with one another as we spread His gospel to those around us. It is also a time of reconciliation with each other as Christ has called us to forgive and we shall be forgiven. We also note that for us to rejoice, we have to be in the Lord. One cannot rejoice unless he/she is in the Lord; who freely gives us the fruit of joy. To be in the Lord means to have faith in Jesus Christ according to Galatians 3:26. The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and gives us the fruit of love, which summarizes God’s word. The fruit of love comes with all other fruit and gifts as the Holy Spirit wills to instill in us. Christmas is also a time of thanksgiving to the Lord for all He has done to us the entire year. Even though some of us have gone through storms, God calls us to rejoice in Him always. When we realize that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and that He loves us with unconditional love, we rejoice in Him all the time. When we remember the death of Jesus Christ for our sins and that He has triumphed over dead so that we may live forever, we rejoice in Him always. When we have confidence that Jesus loves us and nothing can separate us from His love, we rejoice forever in Him.
PRAYER
Your are the same yesterday, today and forever Jesus, we worship You and lift Your name high. We humbly come at Your feet Jesus asking for Your mercy and grace. Have mercy on us Jesus and wash us with Your precious blood from all wrongdoing we have committed this year. Your love and righteousness Lord is everlasting, thank You for loving us. We ask that Your grace accompany’s us during this season and our entire lives. We ask for the grace to submit completely to Your holy will. We ask You for the grace of the Holy Spirit to testify of You, as You really are. We ask for the grace to testify of all that You have prepared for those who come to You. We ask for the grace to share with those who are called to occupy the empty thrones in Your kingdom, to give them words of life that will keep them on the path of life, that will impart to them the faith to do what they have been called to do. We ask for the salvation of all our family members and friends, and we pray for Your blessings upon all people. Lord, we beg You for the grace to serve You as You have called each one of us. Lord we come to worship You with a new song of thanksgiving in our hearts this Christmas. A song of rejoicing for Your birth in our hearts. A song of redemption, hope and salvation. We pray for joy in our hearts and our families, love for You and our neighbors, grace to forgive those who have offended us and peace upon the whole earth. Your are the Prince of peace Jesus, the Messiah and the Lord of lords, who reigns forever. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in our hearts and minds through You Christ Jesus. We humbly ask that You provide bread and all the daily needs of all Your people. Give love to the unloved and unlovable, heal all those who are sick Jesus , settle the hearts of the bereaved, protect us and all our children, grant wisdom to all our leaders and the youth. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Your love, faith, wisdom and power. All glory, honor, power, praise and salvation belongs to You Lord, now and forever. May the Lord bless You and keep You. May He make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen
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.”
INSIGHT
-The Israelites went through a difficult time fighting their enemies all around them; but the Lord granted them victory. As depicted in the book of Joshua 21:43-45, the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hands when they trusted in Him. The Lord also kept all His promises to them as He had promised their fathers and they took possession of the land of Canaan and granted them rest. This is the rest that the Lord has promised us for we are His children. One can try to find peace through his/her friends, family, children, wealth and power, but not find it. It is only through Christ that we find sure peace and tranquility as we rest in Him. When anxiety crops in with these uncertain times, the Prince of peace settles our hearts and minds with His peace. Some of us are going through challenging times which can only be solved by Christ. Many have lost their jobs and businesses. Some have lost their loved ones. Others are sick or have sick friends and relatives. Many have divorced or separated. Some are praying for their marriage partners. Others are praying for children in their marriages. Some students are trusting God for school fees and others the grace to finish school. Others are trusting God for provision, spiritual growth and many other matters. These are some of the issues that have become a concern to many among us, where others are disillusioned and have lost hope. How ironic one may think, how the Lord instructs us to rejoice in Him always even as we go through these challenging times. Like the Israelites who went through a very difficult time, first they experienced the Egyptian captivity, then the wilderness times, they were fearful for their fierce neighbors and many other issues, but the Lord granted them rest. The Lord is calling us to rejoice in Him always, whether we are going through favorable or unfavorable times, which is a sign of faith. He is also reminding us to make our requests be made known to Him, and the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His fruit of joy, gentleness and peace when we put all our trust in Him, which is a cause for rejoicing.
PRAYER
Keep me safe O God, for in You I take refuge. Give me rest O LORD for I put all my trust in You. You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise You God, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set You LORD always before me and because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore; my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor have let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Thank You LORD for the gift of life and for making us see this day in perfect peace. Thank You Jesus for giving us the gift of eternal life. Thank You Father for loving us with Your unending love. We humbly ask You to heal all those who are sick and suffering. Remember all also those who are unemployed or are experiencing slow business growth; that they may experience Your provision. Reconcile all the families that are in disagreement including all those who are separated or divorced. Bless all those who are waiting on You for marriages and children. Remember merciful Father all the children living in the streets and the street families; that You may deliver them from all forms of demonic oppression. Increase all the students in wisdom to always do Your will and help them to clear school in good time. Shepherd all leaders in Your truth and guide us all in the way we should go. Deliver us all from our infirmities and grant us rest. Remove all anxiety from our hearts and increase our faith in You Jesus. May Your purposes come to pass in our lives here on earth as it is in heaven dear Jesus. Fill us with Your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control Holy Spirit. Teach us to rejoice in You always Lord. Train our hearts and minds to rest securely in You. Teach us always to do Your will dear Jesus. Amen
Psalms 118:24
“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
INSIGHT
-A new day is a new gift to the living. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says that, “anyone who is among the living has hope – even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” We should always remember that each day we wake up, some among us die and are no more. We who are alive have the opportunity to glorify the Lord for the newness of life He has granted us. It is enough reason to just glorify the Lord for waking us and seeing a new day. Like a live dog, we have the chance to change our destinies as the Lord leads us. To make a difference as we advance the kingdom of God. Let us have hope for a better life, a better future that Christ has promised us. Let us take a leap of faith as we move into the new levels that God has designed for us before hand. We should always remember that, “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Let always rejoice in the Lord for each new day as we ask Him for direction in our purposes.
PRAYER
This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You Holy Spirit for the breath of life and the grace You have bestowed upon us. We sing praises to You and glorify Your holy name. Thank You for this far that You have brought us and the far that You are taking us. Thank You for the plans that You have for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future, we praise You and glorify Your holy name. Strengthen us in faith Jesus and guide us in all things. We are Your handiworks Jesus created in advance to do good works, guide us each day according to Your will. We rejoice in You each day Jesus. We extol You Lord at all times; Your praise will always be on our lips. We glory You Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. Let us glorify the Lord with all our hearts and tell of all His marvelous works. Amen
Proverbs 5:18-21
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?” For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
INSIGHT
-This chapter speaks of the way of wisdom which is contrary to that of the adulterous woman. This being the month of love and as valentines day approaches fast, these verses should be hidden deep in our hearts. Many are the temptations that come our way and the sin of sexual immorality has slowly become a norm, common to men. This sin has become like a high wall, cracked and bulging but it collapses suddenly, in an instant. It breaks into pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces; not a fragment is found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern. The Lord instructs us then to drink water from our own cisterns and running water from our own wells (Proverbs 5:15). One should rejoice with the wife of his youth and be intoxicated with her love. One should maintain the path of life and not be dissuaded by the adulterous woman or man, who causes disunity in the family, separation and divorce. If ones cistern is leaking, it should be mended fast through reconciliation and love. By mutual love and respect knit together, as Christ calls us. If one does not yet have a cistern, he/she should wait on the Lord who is faithful to fulfil all His promises. Those who wait with humility will rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is calling us to repentance, love, patience, wisdom and faith, so that we may find rest in His salvation.
PRAYER
We give praise to You Lord and proclaim Your name and all You have done in all the nations. We sing praises to You Lord and tell of all Your wonderful acts. We glory in Your holy name and rejoice in You Lord. We enter Your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts, and Your courts with praise. We give thanks to You dear Jesus and praise Your holy name. Only You are Good and Your love endures forever. Only You are Faithful and Your faithfulness continues through all generations. Only You are Righteous, we rely on Your righteousness. Forgive us all for the times we have gone against Your will. Remove every desire to commit sexual immorality from our hearts and from the whole world. Remove every surge of sexual impurity, same sex marriages, incest, child molestation and every form of evil desire that is not of Your kingdom Jesus from the world. Wash us and the whole world with Your precious blood and cover us with Your hedge of fire. Give each one of us his own cistern and mend all the broken relationships and marriages we humbly ask You. Your promises dear Jesus are yes and Amen, do something new in our lives, families, nation and the whole world. You are the Light of the world Jesus, help us to follow You with contrite hearts that we may not walk in darkness but have the light of life. May Your light shine in us so that others may see our good deeds and glorify You Father. Fill our hearts with Your wisdom, love, respect, faith, humility and the fear of You, that we may always do Your will. You are the Rock of our salvation Jesus, we rejoice in You forever. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
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.”
INSIGHT
-When the disciples were uncertain on what to do, some even proposing to send the multitudes home, Jesus applied the power of thanksgiving. Two times when the crowds were hungry, He took bread and fish, and gave thanks. He multiplied the bread and fish, and was able to feed five thousand people (Matthew 14:19) and four thousand people (Matthew 15:36), which was cause for much rejoicing. It is through such uncertain times that we need to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything. Habakkuk did not complain when the fig tree, vine and olive trees did not blossom. He did not panic when the flock were cut off and had no more herds in his stalls. Despite the challenging times that they went through, Habakkuk trusted in the Lord. He knew the secret. He rejoiced in the Lord always (Habakkuk 3:17-19). Let us then rejoice in the Lord always; for this is His will. Let us also present our prayers and petitions to Him while giving thanks, for we have obtained victory through Christ.
PRAYER
We rejoice in You our Lord and God of Israel. We rejoice in You Lord and God of our forefathers; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We rejoice in You our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; for You have won victory for us. You have won victory for us even through these turbulent times. We have confidence in You Jesus even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for Your rod and staff comfort us. You are our Strength and Shield Jesus, we cannot win without You. You make our feet like those of a deer. You make us walk on high hills and high ways. Thank You for the blessings and grace that we have received merciful Father; through Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You Abba Father for making us Your children and giving us authority and power to rule here on earth, as kings and priests to You. Thank You for the blessings and favor that You have given us during this season to become great men and women for the glory of Your name. Thank You for giving us all our hearts desire and answering all our prayers according to Your will. Thank You for loving us and sustaining us even at the wake of many uncertainties. Thank You for blessing us, our families and nation with the dew of heaven, and for opening many doors of prosperity for us. Thank You for fulfilling all Your promises in our lives at Your appointed time. Thank You for healing all our wounds and healing our land. Bless each one of us and increase us dear Jesus. Bless our nation and revive our economy Jesus. Bless the nation of Israel and grant them peace. Bless all the nations of world that they may know You and serve You alone Jesus Christ. We rejoice in You of our Salvation. You are the Bread of life Jesus, feed us with Your living bread daily. All our hope and trust is in You, now and forever. Amen
Philippians 4:10-13
“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul was contented in all circumstances, in plenty and in want, when he was well fed and when hungry. To rejoice therefore one has to be in the Lord. When we are in the Lord, we draw strength from Him in all circumstances. When we are in the Lord we have faith and are able to acknowledge that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
SUMMARY
-Among the common singing birds is the raven. The common raven is the largest songbird, and it has a voice to match its size. While singing behavior varies among them, most takes place during the breeding season generally more in the early morning. In Psalm 147:9, we see that God provides provides food for the young ravens when they call. Also Job 38:41 says that, “Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?” God is a loving God and provides food for all His creation. He requires us to magnify Him all the time through rejoicing, and he will provide for all our needs. When we consider that we are far more valuable than the ravens which do not plant or harvest or store food in barns and God feeds them (Luke 12:24), we should always rejoice greatly in Him. Rejoicing is an inward gladness and worship to the Lord. The word rejoice has two parts; prefix re which means do it again or repeat and the word joy. Joy should be distinguished from happiness to understand the theme, rejoice in the Lord. In a art-shell happiness is an outward feeling of pleasant thoughts and experiences while joy is an inner expression of worship and hope that runs deep in our hearts. Happiness often comes when one is undergoing good times, has achieved something or gained the applause of men. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which causes continual rejoicing in the Lord. To rejoice in the Lord one has to have love which is the foundation . 1 Corinthians 13:6 states that, “love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth”. God is both love and truth. He is the true word and calls us to abide in Him and He is in us. When we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit and without Him we can do nothing. We cannot rejoice in Him if we do not abide in Him through love. God calls us to love Him and our neighbors as ourselves. In the same way that a human couple sometimes has to work to maintain their attachment, a pair of ravens exhibits behaviors that strengthen their relationship, or pair bond. It is during such seasons like valentines that we should draw closer to our partners through love. Each man to rejoice with the wife of his youth. Further, Apostle Paul demonstrated how to rejoice in the Lord through his life experiences. He faced great tribulation and was imprisoned but remained faithful to God. He was committed to his mission of preaching the gospel of truth and taught us how to rejoice in the Lord always. He openly boasted in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties and acknowledged that when he was weak then he was strong because of Christ in him (2 Corinthians 12:10). To rejoice in the Lord is a choice that is often accompanied by how we feel about something. This is only possible when we are in the Lord. There are diverse times and seasons in life, a time to laugh and a time to cry, a time to plant and a time to harvest. There are both favorable and unfavorable times in life. Somehow rejoicing in the Lord is not just a feeling but should be accomplished by obedience to God’s word. It is not easy to rejoice while facing difficulties and trials but if it is what God desires from us, then we can do it. Rejoicing in the Lord is also submission to God’s authority and care. When we are in the Lord and He is in us, then it is possible to rejoice in Him. This is a statement of faith and surrender to Christ. An admission of the power of God working in us. Paul also discloses that, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). It is through the fruit of joy deposited in our hearts by the Holy Spirit that we are able to rejoice always. Joy in Christ for His death and resurrection for us, and His gift of salvation is a cause for rejoicing in Him.
PRAYER
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Almighty Father, we come before You to offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise for Your faithfulness and love; that endures from everlasting to everlasting. Dear Lord we rejoice knowing that sustenance, love, hope and faith is the bread of Your children and we have everything in You merciful Father. We commit all the sick unto You, may You stretch Your healing hand upon them and heal them from all their infirmities. May You forgive us our sins and cleanse us with Your precious blood. For those who lack, Father, may You provide to them according to Your riches in Glory. Like You provide for the ravens, provide for us dear Jesus according to Your great love. We commit all our plans to You Lord for Your establishment. May You bless the works of our hands and give us favor before You and before men. We trust and have faith in You Lord that You will do so and You have done it. Thank You Lord, we praise You for Your faithfulness. Dear Lord, we pray that You will touch us and fill us with the Spirit of Praise and thanksgiving. May You fill our mouth and hearts with Your praises and out of our bellies flow rivers of joy and praise to You for only You deserve it all. Almighty Father, we rejoice in You and love You. Help us to love our neighbors and ourselves, and to remain united in Your love. Help us to love one another deeply for this is Your will dear Jesus. Receive all praise, honour and adoration. We pray in Jesus mighty Name Amen.