Tag: joy and rejoicing
Real rejoicing
Scripture reading for March 24: Luke 15
“And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:2-7
Religious people of all ages love to make judgments and comparisons. The Pharisees and scribes of Israel looked down their noses at Jesus because He was eating with ‘sinners’ and receiving them into His band of disciples. They thought it scandalous that He would choose to be with them and ‘contaminate’ Himself. But Jesus, wanting to expand their world view, told them a story to help them understand.
Jesus used a story about lost sheep, something very common in that time and culture of Israel. Sheep had value for meat, milk, and wool for clothes. A lost sheep was something of value worth looking for. It was the shepherd’s job and calling to protect his sheep and rescue them if they got lost, trapped, or wounded by a wild animal. We are not told what happened to this sheep, but only that the shepherd left the flock and searched and found this sheep. He carried the sheep home on his shoulders with joy. Upon arrival, he called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. The point of this story came last: Heaven rejoices when one sinner who is lost, repents and returns to the fold! Instead of grumbling, those feeling no need of repentance should at least be rejoicing too.
As you examine your own heart, are there those that you judge to be ‘contaminating’ influences to be avoided? How does Jesus’ parable change your world view and invite you to enter into heaven’s joy? Do you identify with the shepherd or the ninety-nine or the one lost sheep?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You sent Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd to seek and save the lost. I was found by Him and now want to help Him in reaching lost sheep. Teach me Your ways and lead me to the lost today. Fill my heart with Your love, my mouth with your Word and let rejoicing fill heaven. Amen.
Sing a new song!
Scripture reading for June 21st: Psalm 90-97
Psalms 95-97 are focused on the glory of God and worship! I enjoy these psalms because of their expressions of joy and rejoicing in God Himself. They call all of mankind and nature into the chorus of worship that adores God. It is helpful to our worship to explore them and make them part of our own adoration of our Father God.
Singing for joy and shouting out loud are mentioned in Psalm 95:1. God’s people are urged to bow down in worship and kneel before their maker. (Psalm 95:6) Our posture, as well as our voices, instruments, and songs, indicates humility and honor. He is the great King above all gods, creator of heaven and earth!
Psalm 96 opens with an exhortation to sing a ‘new song’ to the Lord. All other nations and peoples had gods that were idols, but Israel alone knew the one true God who was worthy of praise! (Psalm 96:8) God was so arrayed in glory and majesty that a new song would come to those who contemplated His beauty and strength! As they beheld the Lord in worship, new songs of joy and praise flow out of their hearts and burst from their lips! The old songs were not adequate to express their adoration!
The Holy Spirit’s infilling often brings a new level of worship to the believer. From the Holy Spirit comes ‘spiritual songs’ given for worship of our Lord! From the Spirit comes a new song bringing praise to the King! (Ephesians 5:18-20) At times in different corporate worship settings, I have experienced the Spirit bringing forth a ‘new song’ from the congregation that took us into the heavenly realm and put us in harmony with those worshiping around the throne!
In Psalms 96 and 97 the heavens rejoice and the earth is glad. The sea resounds and all the creatures in it give glory the Lord. The fields are jubilant and the trees sing in harmony as the Lord comes. Mountains melt like wax in His presence and the earth sees Him and trembles! All the peoples see His Glory and His people rejoice and are glad. Those worshiping idols are put to shame! For God comes to judge the earth and the peoples in righteousness and truth!
Take time today to offer heartfelt worship to the Lord! Do a self-evaluation of your readiness to see Him as Savior and Judge!