“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV)
When does one rejoice in the Lord? How often? Where? Why?
Are you going through adversity or know someone that is going through adversity, challenges or difficulties that just seem out of control? I have often heard that it is in times like this that we grow and develop. We have opportunity to develop our character and prove our Faith.
Prayer, attitude, change makes a harvest of abundance of joy. We often sing and pray, Father God, renew a right spirit within me. We may just be singing, help me with the attitude I need to do, be, and keep the right pair of glasses on so that I can rejoice in the Lord, and be joyful in God my Savior.
!
thedailylily.com 
In Philippians 3:1 the Bible says: “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.”
Philippians 2: 17-18 says: “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” The footnotes for verse 17 says: “Even if he had to die, Paul was content, knowing that he had helped the Philippians live for Christ. When you’re totally committed to serving Christ, sacrificing to build the faith of others brings a joyous reward.”
Philippians 4: 4-4 says: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” Now listen to the footnotes for verse 4: ” It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.” (4,5) “Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at his second coming we will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for us. We are to be considerate (reasonable, fair minded, and charitable) to those outside the church, and not just to fellow believers. This means we are not to seek revenge against those who treat us unfairly, nor are we to be overly vocal about our personal rights.”
Sara, it sounds as if we are to rejoice in the Lord, always. I think the footnotes helps me, because life can sure be hard sometimes. Reread with me: “It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.”
When I read this blog I thought immediately of two things. The first was a comment of encouragement by Sara from her workbook ‘Dressing for His Glory”, Lesson 2, The Glory of Roses, Understanding God’s Character’ (pg 12) that we studied at Retreat ’09. It says, “We may be going through adversity, or may go through adversity and affliction, but we must walk with Him on a daily basis – look to Him, and expect help from him. He will enable us by His grace to trust Him. ‘Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Psalm 123:1”
We are encouraged to trust and rejoice in Him always even when things ‘look’ bleak.
Paul told us twice in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice ALWAYS and told us that prayer brings God’s peace in turmoil and anxiety.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ”
I think doing this and having/knowing Christ is near us like Needles said above brings true joy.
Secondly I was reminded of this song. I first heard it off a CD Sara gave me by Vessels of Mercy. It was written by Rodney Griffin (Songs of Greater Vision [BMI]). I often play it when things are dark to me and I don’t feel like rejoicing. When I get to the part, “God wants to hear you sing,” I get the strength to start singing by faith and soon His peace comes.
“Their chains were fastened tight
Down at the jail that night
Still Paul and Silas would not be dismayed
They said, “It’s time to lift our voice, sing praises to the Lord
Let’s prove that we will trust Him come what may”
God wants to hear you sing
When the waves are crashing ’round you
When the fiery darts surround you
When despair is all you see
God wants to hear your voice
When the wisest man has spoken
And says, “Your circumstance is as hopeless as can be”
That’s when God wants to hear you sing
He loves to hear our praise on our cheerful days
When the pleasant times outweigh the bad, by far
But when suffering comes along
And we still sing Him songs
That is when we bless the Father’s heart.”
Wow, this has never been truer to me than the recent events that have occurred in our family. The quote from DRESSING FOR HIS GLORY has come home to take roost, recently. “We may be going through adversity or affliction, but we must walk with Him on a daily basis.”
Truthfully, that is the only way that we can overcome the tests and trials that assail us. My brother….and I write of this often…because of what the Lord is doing in his life and I am at the Lord’s feet right now learning and listening and taking heed…about going through adversity. The only thing that can come out of my brother’s mouth, (which he is trying to guard watchfully) is praise through pain. The pain is excruciating (I am crucified with Christ) yet will I praise Him. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you.” He is giving thanks to God for saving his life like a snatched-out prize. My brother (and all of us) is praising God for each little victory over his flesh as he attempts to manifest a Christian attitude midst affliction, watching his tongue and what pops out of his mouth while in serious pain. This may be the trial of his life. This may be the trial of my life, growing the fruit of the Spirit, not in the good times only but in the hard times.
Like Sara said above, character is being honed and tweaked as we go this crisis…not just the afflicted one but all who are in covenant with him in the Body of Christ.
I guess this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.
But I am thankful and praise God for what He has done and is doing so that ‘when He has tried us we’ll come forth as gold.’
we ought to rejoice at in all things and yet at times it is hard to do so but if we can remember that even in times when we dont feel like rejoicing that is the most important time when we should do so….it seems to me that when Gods word says in everything give thanks it should go for in everything rejoice too….when things dont go the way one would have hoped and you feel not too much like rejoiceing…one needs to remeber God is in control and He knows best and He can see what we cant so we ought to rejoice for He is keeping us from dangers that we arent even aware of…..
Dorothy, good thoughts…yes, we are to”Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4
And, I like the thought “God is in control and He knows best and He can see what we can’t …”
“Prayer, attitude, change makes a harvest of abundance of joy.”
Last year @ Retreat ’08 we studied Sara’s workbook, “The Four Bees -Finding Your Spiritual Gifts.” As I read this blog over again I kept thinking of one of the ‘rules’ we learned about in that book….’bee thankful’. I went to look and read about it and one of the key scriptures was “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4) Sara wrote, “Your attitude is changed by the measure of thankfulness and gratefulness and faithfulness you possess.’ …’Praise and thanksgiving brings entrance into His strength, His power and His authority.’ We were encouaraged to cultivate our attitude of gratitude by using words to thank Him, both written and spoken because these ‘words’ will ‘birth gratitude.’
I found this to be a helpful reminder to check and see my attitude and the measure to which I am rejoicing.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
Sandra 407…Wow, Welcome and thanks for joining in on our blog. Love to hear from you as you read and post your thoughts on the ideas, Scriptures and lessons you find here on the blog. We would love to have more “Lilies of the Field”, as Jesus calls them.