The word “rejoice” isn’t used very often these days outside of Christian worship, so I think it’s worth reviewing what it actually means. A quick Google search tells us that “Rejoice” means to feel or show great joy or delight.
Okay. That seems do-able. I sometimes feel joyful or delighted.
But a quick look at Paul’s instruction to the Philippian church in Philippians 4:4 gives us pause when it says to Rejoice in the Lord always. Wait, what? Always? Even when I’m having a terrible day? Even when my anxiety is smothering me? Even when tragedy strikes? Yes. Always.
I think if we are to truly comprehend “rejoicing always”, we must remind ourselves WHY we are rejoicing. What is prompting our feelings and display of great joy and delight? Paul tells us: Rejoice in the Lord always.
The Lord is the object of our joy and delight. He has made us, breathed life into us, loved us, showered us with blessings, sustained us, and most importantly, given His son as a sacrifice for us so that we can exist in relationship with Him. He is eternally good and gracious, slow to anger and abiding in steadfast love (Ex. 34:6), the truly righteous judge who causes nations to rise and fall (Ps. 82:8) and in the same breath longs to gather His children under His wing like a mother hen (Mt. 23:37). He is deserving of our rejoicing.
The song, “Rejoice”, is a reminder of why we worship. It calls us to come together and worship our God in the good times and the hard, in every season, every time of change and challenge, as we collectively respond to who God is and what He’s done.
Rejoice
Rejoice in the Lord now and always
Sing it again we rejoice
Delight in the love He has shown us
Gratefully lift up your voice
His gentleness among us
Will join our hearts with praise
We gather in His goodness
A family of grace
With each breath He’s given praise the Lord
In these times we live in we will praise the Lord
Throughout every season I am sure
We have every reason to praise the Lord
Rejoice and be anxious for nothing
Praying for all that you need
Come with a song of thanksgiving
Lay your requests at His feet
His peace will fall upon us
To guard our hearts and minds
In Christ who reigns eternal
The Shepherd of our lives
Rejoice in the Lord now and always
Tell of the good He has done
Worship the Lord to remember
All of the joy yet to come
The hope that burns within us
The dark cannot destroy
With praise that’s never ending
We say again rejoice
CCLI Song # 7206654
Ben Shive | Bryan Fowler | Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Skye Peterson
© 2022 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), bryanfowlersongs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Junkbox Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 702888
Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.
If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (CSB)
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 (ESV)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 (ESV)
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 (ESV)
The Lord came down in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed his name, “the Lord.” The Lord passed in front of [Moses] and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
Exodus 34:5-7 (CSB)
Rise up, God, judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.
Psalm 82:8 (CSB)
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Matthew 23:37 (CSB)