From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #67-77
Lyrics
Lesson 72 of 77
Rejoice In the Lord Always
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Apostle Paul writes,
Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say, rejoice.
[Phil 4:4]
*rejoice Gk #5463 chairo (khah-ee-ro) it means to be filled with cheer, calmy happy and well-off
• cheer (noun) is…
o a shout of encouragement, approval, and congratulations
o a set or traditional form of shout used by spectators to encourage or show enthusiasm for an athletic team or contestant
o something that gives joy and gladness, encouragement and comfort
o is expressions, food and drink that nourish one’s holistic being
CHEER is what the brethren of Christ are to express and be as they shine as lights in a dark world. Prophet Isaiah writes,
The LORD God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: HE wakeneth morning by morning, HE wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
[Isa 50:4]
Apostle Paul writes,
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life;
[Phil 2:15, 16a]
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
For God, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
[II Cor 4:3-7]
The Lord Jesus said,
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
[Mt 5:14-16]
• happy (adj) it describes that which is…
o delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing
o characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment and joy
o possessing fortune, being fortunate or favored by fortune
This is the attitude that sons of Yahweh should have at all times, because HE is their FAITHFUL PROVIDER and INCORRUPTIBLE TREASURE. Yahweh declared to Abram what it fitting for all HIS worshipers, saying,
I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
[Gen 15:1b]
The book of Hebrews notes,
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, the LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
[Heb 13:5, 6]
The Lord Jesus said,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth; where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[Mt 6:19-21]
Yahweh expressed through Prophet Zephaniah that there will be a remnant of HIS Elect Ones who, although poor by worldly standards, are incredibly rich in faith toward HIM. THE LORD said,
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of the LORD.
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
[Zep 3:12, 13]
Per the Lord Jesus, it is the poor in spirit who have already inherited the kingdom of heaven, which is one not of temporal gratification, but one of everlasting love, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost. He said,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[Mt 5:3]
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
[Lk 12:32]
Apostle Paul writes,
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness <love in action>, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
[Rm 14:17]
• well-off (adj) that describes what is…
o endowed with sufficient money for comfortable living
o well-to-do
o in a satisfactory, favorable, or good position and condition
In a world of avarice, most would shutter at the idea of any degree of impoverishment being a token of divine favor and fortune. However, per these ancient sayings, it appears to be true for a remnant of Yahweh’s Elect. If so be, then the happiest of people on earth are not among the richest, but amongst those who wholeheartedly trust in THE LORD. Per Christ, it is not Yahweh’s will for HIS Elect to be anxious about possessing material things of this world. Rather, HE wills for them to be rejoicing before HIM, regardless of their financial disposition. This is because HE is their HEART’S TREASURE, from which all their needs are provided. Should they find themselves in circumstances where it appears their need is not being met, they should know that such situation is one of testing, and while continually doing as they can in faith, they are to remain submitted to HIM as unto a faithful Creator. HE is fully aware of their circumstance, and will surely bring about the manifestation of their need. The Lord Jesus said,
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
[Mt 6:33, 34]
Apostle James writes,
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting <lacking> nothing.
[Jam 1:2-4]
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to HIM in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
[I Pet 4:19]
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.
[Rm 8:28]
Rejoice evermore.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
[I Thes 5:16, 18]
King David writes,
I will bless the LORD at all times: HIS praise shall continually be in my mouth.
[Ps 34:1]
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth.
[Ps 121:1, 2]
Although Yahweh never wants HIS Elect to be hypocritical about how they feel, HE does expect them to exercise FAITH in HIM at all times. Rejoicing helps them to do so. Apostle Paul writes,
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
[Phil 4:4]
It has always been the joy and delight of Christ to please His FATHER and through His strength, His brethren are able to do the same. King Solomon writes,
Then I was by HIM, as One brought up with HIM; and I was daily HIS delight, rejoicing always before HIM;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of HIS earth; and My delights were with the sons of men.
[Pro 8:30, 31]
Prophet Nehemiah writes,
…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
[Neh 8:10c]
The Lord Jesus said,
I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
[Jn 15:5, 11]
My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
[II Cor 12:9a]
Apostle Paul writes,
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
[Eph 6:10]
The fruit of the lips is verbal thanksgiving unto THE LORD, which is created by THE LORD. Yahweh said per Prophet Isaiah,
I create the fruit of the lips;
[Isa 57:19a]
In that Yahweh is cognizant of the fruit HE creates in the lips of HIS Elect, HE expects them to continuously render it unto them through Christ. Apostle Paul writes,
By Him <Christ the Word> therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to HIS NAME.
[Heb 13:15]
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