Let Us Rejoice
When my daughter was little, she made a recording on our answering machine (remember those?) of her singing “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” I loved that recording! We would have wrong numbers who would leave us a message saying how they were so glad they got that recording. People seemed to love it and love the message of hope that it brought. All until a little boy in third grade called our house and heard it. He made fun of her at school, and the recording came off!
I lost three friends last week, and one went to Hospice. My heart was heavy as I came to church Sunday morning. It would have been easy to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep, but I have learned that is when I need it most. I came expecting great things at Pine Valley United Methodist Church, knowing that I would feel hope.
Hope began with our second song, “Raise A Hallelujah” by Bethel Music. We sang, “I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm, Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar. Up from the ashes, hope will arise. Death is defeated, the King is alive!” The more I sang, the more I believed. The next part of the song brought tears. “I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies. I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief. I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me.” This song was speaking to me. During this storm, I have to praise God, louder and louder!
By the last song, I was feeling so much better! My heart was lighter, and I knew we would all be ok. I just have to stay focused on God. Our last song was “Goodness of God” also by Bethel Music. “And all my life You have been faithful, oh And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah!” I was thinking, “hasn’t God always been faithful and good to me?” Yes, He has! And I am going to sing (not for you to hear) and tell of His goodness in my life!
It seems so many people are hurting right now, and there are so many heavy hearts. Our lives have changed dramatically during this pandemic, and it can feel a little overwhelming at times. Many people are worried about jobs. Many people are lonely or depressed. BUT, we know GOD IS IN CHARGE, and everything will be ok! This IS the day the Lord has made, let us choose to rejoice in it!
Psalm 118:24, “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” This is not a suggestion. This says, “we WILL rejoice AND be glad in it.” We are told again in Psalm 113:3, “From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised.” Again, it is not a suggestion; it says, “IS to be praised.” Each day is a precious gift from God. We can also be comforted by the knowledge that He will work all things together for our good. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” He will give us opportunities every day to share His goodness. And He will give us abundant grace and strength to do His good works! Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Even when we suffer and go through trials, we must bear it with joy, fully believing that God is the only One in full control! Do not lose courage, sing of His goodness. These trials will be light and momentary compared to our eternity in Glory! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
I am so thankful for worship, whether online or outside, whether traditional or contemporary! There is always something we need to hear, whether in a song, a prayer, or the sermon. God has a message for us. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!