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REASON TO REJOICE (Psalm 33)

Are you a rejoicing Christian today?

Perhaps you don't feel like rejoicing? Rejoicing is not just a feeling; it is a choice. Scripture commands us to do it.

The Bible says in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” It is not a question of whether we feel like it, but whether we are going to obey God. Rejoicing is less a matter of emotion and more a matter of the will.

Verse 1: “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.” That sounds a lot like what we just read from Philippians. It is definite, personal, emphatic command.

The second half of that verse refers to its beauty. There is nothing more beautiful than a rejoicing Christian. The world has nothing like this to give. You cannot put on anything more beautiful than a joyful spirit. The most attractive thing about the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that other people can see the joy of Jesus in us.

But this psalm not only commands us to rejoice; it gives us reason to rejoice. Let’s go through this passage and make a “rejoicing list.”

- Rejoice because you are right with God. If you know your sins are forgiven and Christ is your Savior, you have reason to rejoice no matter what else is going on in your life.

When the disciples returned to Jesus with excitement because the devils were subject to them and the sick were begin healed, Jesus said in Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

Remember, the only reason any of us are righteous is because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In essence, we are rejoicing in the Person and work of Christ.

- Rejoice because His Word and His works are always right. Verses 2-4: “Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

Everything God says and does is right, and you can rejoice in that. We will all do things today that are not right because none of us are perfect, and it may be that someone does you wrong today. But when everything else seems wrong, God is right. Rejoice in who God is and what God does.

- Rejoice because of the goodness of God. Verse 5: “He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

Our entire planet is filled with the goodness of the Lord. Look around you. As James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” He never changes, and He is always good.

- Rejoice because God sustains what He created. Verses 6-9: “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

The same God who set it all in motion holds it all in the palm of His hand. It is true of this earth and of every one of us. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Can you say, as Hebrews 12:2 proclaims, that He is “the author and finisher of our faith”? Then you can be confident that He is not finished with you. He is still working on you and will keep you until the very end.

- Rejoice because the wicked are not going to win. Verse 10: “The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”

Perhaps you have watched the news lately and are all too aware of the strife and contention across this nation and around the world. Maybe you have heard the blasphemy of those around us who do not even believe in God. Keep in mind that God will someday bring all of that to nothing. He will make all of those things pass away.

- Rejoice because God’s truth lasts forever. Verse 11: “The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Not only is His Word settled forever in Heaven, but also for every generation in this life. If you want to know what God is thinking about, get in His Word.

- Rejoice because God is not finished with His people. Verse 12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Pray today for the peace of Jerusalem and for Israel. While you’re at it, pray for our own nation to continue to be a friend to God’s chosen people. We love to quote this verse in the context of our own country, but in reality this is about the nation of Israel. And where they are concerned, God is going to fulfill everything He has foretold.

- Rejoice because God has His eye on you. Verse 13: “The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.” While God looks across the entire world, He sees you today and He knows you.

- Rejoice because God is going to keep you alive. Verses 14-19: “From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”

- Rejoice because God is going to be your help, your shield, and your hope to the very end. Verses 20-22: “Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Psalm 33 begins and ends with rejoicing in the Lord. I hope that today, in scripture and in your own life, you will find reason to rejoice.