Rejoice In The Lord

Rejoice In The Lord

Text: Hab. 3:17-19

Habakkuk was a man of great faith. He had the right perspective on things. He knew what was most important.

It is easy to have a big pep rally when everything is going right, but Hab describes a time when everything around him is desolate. There is nothing to be harvested......no blooms on the fig trees.....no olives to be gathered......the flocks have been destroyed.....yet he says......

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Psa 31:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice ye righteous: and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart !

Psa 63:8 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Phil 4:4, 1 Thess. 5:16

Story: There was a little old lady who was quite happy about her salvation, and on Sun. morning she would shout ocassionally. But things changed when a new more dignified preacher came to the church. He let it be known to the little old lady that he didn’t care for her shouting. But the next service she let out a few amens, and a couple of “praise the Lord’s”......after the service the preacher met with the deacons, and told them if it happened in the next service that he wanted two of them to escort the lady out of the church. At first they protested, but then agreed.

At the next service.....the little lady got happy again ! She hollered.....”Praise The Lord”. The preacher motioned to the deacons and they got the little lady.....one on each side, picked her up and proceeded to carry her from the sanctuary.........near the back she let out one more loud “Hallelujah !”. The preacher hollered back......”What are you shouting about now ?” Her reply......”When Jesus rode into Jerusalem he didn’t have but one donkey, and I’ve got two of em !”

Can I tell you a secret ? God doesn’t mind if we enjoy our relationship ! He wants us to be joyful ! I see some folks who profess Christ, and I believe if they were to grin.....their face would break ! Come on folks.....the Bible says that we should........Rejoice !!!!

And if you’ve forgotten why.....I’ll remind you !

I. The Salvation Of The Lord Should Cause Us To Rejoice.

Psa 35:8 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation !

Luk 10:20 ........”but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

a. Saved Forever !

Praise the Lord.....rejoice ! If we have been saved by his grace, then we are saved forever ! We are securely in the arms of Jesus ! Sealed by his Spirit ! His Forevermore !

b. Set Free !

We should rejoice as a captive set free !

Kidnapped by the devil......the ransom paid by the precious blood of Jesus....and in the family of God !

c. Sins Forgiven !

Wouldn’t you rejoice if someone paid off all your debt ! Man....let me tell you......I’d kiss’em ! We can rejoice because our sin debt has been paid !

Across the tab God has written in the blood of his Son.........”Paid in Full !”

d. Secured Future !

Our sins forgiven......our future secured ! Heaven is our eternal home ! He’s preparing us a place ! If you’re ready....then REJOICE

II. The Seeking Of The Lord Should Cause Us To Rejoice.

1 Chron. 16:10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Psa 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Seek is “searching out, striving out....spec. in worship & in prayer !

We should rejoice in our opportunity to pray, and worship.....and rejoice when we pray and worship !

Quotes:

When one recalls that we are to rejoice in the Lord always-and then looks in on the average Sunday congregation, he realizes that something has happened to us since Pentecost ! Vance Havner

Today the same church member who yells like a Comanche Indian at a football game sits like a wooden Indian in the house of God on Sunday.

Vance Havner

III. The Sight Of The Lord Should Cause Us To Rejoice

Psa 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities.

We should rejoice because the Lord has no vision problems ! He is able to see, and know our troubles.....

Psa 107:41-42 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice.........”