One of the most quoted and sung about verses in the New Testament is found in Philippians 4. Paul says in verse 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” I always thought that he was the first and only one to quote such a command. But as I was reading this morning from Psalm 32, David said the same thing in verse 11, “So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” I know from my own experience that it is not easy to rejoice in the Lord always. Sometimes I just don’t feel like it, or to be honest I just plain forget to. Since David mentions this statement at the end of the psalm I decided to find out if he gives any clues as to why you and I should rejoice in the Lord.
REASON #1: Your sins have been completely forgiven.
Read verses 1 and 2. It begins with the declaration of the joy we should have when our sins have been forgiven and covered. As believers in Christ our sins have been forgiven and paid for by the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ at Calvary. God no longer looks at us as unclean sinners. Rather we have been adopted into his family as His sons and daughters and we have been covered in his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Perhaps you feel the weight of guilt and shame pressing around you. Perhaps you feel a distant from those closest to you. Perhaps you feel like God is a million miles away from you. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a condition known as “hidingyoursins-itus”. David felt this too. David could declare this joy of being forgiven only after he stopped hiding from his sin and rebellion and confessed it to God (Ps. 32:3-5). We have a similar promise found in 1 John 1:9 for us. We can rejoice in the Lord because God has forgiven you and I from our sins and there is nothing that can separate us from His love and grace.
REASON #2: God is your refuge
In Psalm 32:7 it says, “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.” When trials, temptation, and troubles come our way we have a solid place to run and find shelter. It is in the safe loving arms of our Father in Heaven. Notice this verse does not say, “You keep trouble away” or “You make trouble disappear”. It is clear from Jesus that even as Christians we will face trouble in this world (John 16:33). I know for me, even after I have confessed my sins to the Lord I can still feel guilt and shame. Yet, if I will simply run to the Lord and stay connected to Him, I will find shelter from the nagging, lying voice of the devil trying to tell me, “You aren’t forgiven”. I love how this verse also says that God will, “… surround me with songs of victory.” It appears that when you and I will go to God in our times of trouble he will not only be a shelter, but will give us inspiration to move forward through His encouragement. Not only does God surround us with songs of victory, but verse 10 says He surrounds us with his “unfailing love”. Now that’s something to rejoice in!
REASON #3: God is your guide.
“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Sometimes I wonder where I am heading in life. I am currently in a season of transitioning from being single to being married. I have a tendancy to worry, a lot. This constant struggle to figure things out and find my own way is very draining and discouraging. It’s clear in this verse that God will direct me along the right paths to walk in. Yet, how often do you and I decide to take the path that is not as level and smooth as the one that God presents to us? We can rejoice in the Lord, because He assures us of his watchfulness and his guidance over our lives if we will trust Him.
I am not saying I have this all figured out now. This passage has definitely given me some instruction on reasons and ways I can rejoice in the Lord always, rather than find excuses to remain depressed and “poopy” as a friend of mine says. Perhaps you will do as I am, and spend a few days meditating on this particular Psalm. I hope you will find encouragment from this and keep walking by faith in the One who loves you and gave Himself for you.
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