Rejoice When Others Are Rejoicing

Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

I know there is a lot to be said about bearing the burdens of one another and sharing in pain, but what about our joys? Romans tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep... What does that mean exactly? The Bible instructs us to come alongside someone who is weeping and weep with them, but what about our joys? How is one to respond when another is rejoicing?

We live in a culture where people find joy in a variety ways. To rejoice, in common terms, is to simply find joy in or to delight in a particular situation or thing. So when the Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice I am curious what that means to me as a Christian and to us as a body of Christ.

Living in a materialistic society such as ours I find it commonplace to hear people getting excited about a new car or big screen TV that they have just purchased. Or those who have found the perfect job or new boyfriend that gives them all sorts of excitement... for the moment. I have to ask myself the question, "Am I supposed to be excited for these things with them even if I don't think they are of the Lord? Is this what Paul is talking about when he says to rejoice with others?"

When I study the Bible and look at the places it calls us to rejoice it generally is in context to the things of God or something He is doing. It also relates many times to us as a Christian body rejoicing with one another to have unity and completeness in one another.

Rejoicing when others rejoice may mean something different to some people, but I understand it to mean this: When one of us, as a member of the body of Christ, is rejoicing in the things of God, then the rest of the body will join in that rejoicing and together we give glory to God for the things he is doing.

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

If we look on a little further in the passage in Romans it tells us to be of the same mind toward one another. Like minded believers rejoicing with one another and weeping with one another. As a body of Christ we have the privilege of sharing in the joys and burdens of others in Christ.

1Co 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

When our joy is rooted in God's righteousness and truth, then I believe we are doing what Paul instructs us in verse 15. Sure it is cool when someone buys something nice or finds a new job or even gets into a relationship that makes them happy... And I believe it is probably just fine to find some pleasure in the things God has given us the ability to acquire, but when Paul calls us to rejoice with others I truly believe his intent is for us to rejoice in the things of God for the purpose of uniting the body and glorifying Christ in all things.

1Co 13:6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

Luk 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made

Psa 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is another day that has been given to me by the Lord. Therefore, I will rejoice. Often I fill my days with so many things that I forget to take time to rejoice.

Lord, please help me to remember to look to you every day and to rejoice and be glad. In spite of the many trials that may occur, I will look up to you and lift my hands in thanksgiving and praise. You made the heavens and the earth. You have saved me from eternal separation from you. You have called me to a greater purpose outside of my own selfish desires. You are a loving and caring God who sent your son to die for my sin. You show me grace and mercy and love each day... I will rejoice.

Rejoice, You Are A Chosen People

1Pe 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1Pe 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. (nasb)


I was studying in the book of Ephesians this evening and God led me to this passage in 1Peter. What a marvelous piece of scripture.

As followers of Christ we are:

• God's possession.
• A chosen race.
• A royal priesthood.
• A holy people.
• Able to receive mercy.
• In His marvelous light.
• Out of the darkness.

So that we may proclaim the excellencies of
Him who has called us.

Lord, Thank you for choosing me before the foundation of the world. Because of Jesus I am a person of great worth and I know that you first loved me before I could ever love you. Praise to you today not because of what you have done, but because of who you are. I pray that I will continue until my last breath to proclaim your excellencies.

Psalm 124 A Song Of David

Psa 124:1 A Song of Ascents, of David. "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say,
Psa 124:2 "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,
Psa 124:3 Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us;
Psa 124:4 Then the waters would have engulfed us, The stream would have swept over our soul;
Psa 124:5 Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul."
Psa 124:6 Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.
Psa 124:7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; The snare is broken and we have escaped.
Psa 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (nasb)

Think About These Things.

Php 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (esv)

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It is filled with so much for us to hold on to. Rejoice in the Lord always... Not sometimes, not only when things are going well, but in all situations. And then to let your reasonableness be known to everyone. Be anxious about nothing, make your requests be known to God and His peace will guard my heart.

And then the things that Paul instructs the Philippians to set their minds on. Purity, loveliness, excellence, honor, etc... These aren't a list of do's but a way to be. When I meditate on these things then the ways of the devil have no place in my heart.

I encourage you today to listen to this passage of scripture and read it over several times and meditate on it. Ask God to reveal anything in your heart that might not be a way for to be. Being in Christ is about being and not doing. May we draw closer to Him today by being more like Him.

This Is His Will...

1Th 5:16 Rejoice always, 1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing, 1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Boy isn't this one a little hard to grab hold of. Rejoice always... does that mean even when the the wheels feel like they are falling off the cart? Or when Lori had cancer or when my construction business failed and I had to find work? How about when going through a divorce, or a major car wreck, or even during our current recession? It is difficult when our focus is on ourselves to rejoice. Hard times come and go and the situations I am in today will be gone next year and I will be at the front door of new challenges and opportunities. If we allow our circumstances rather than our Savior to be the reason for our rejoicing then we will be completely miserable.

Pray without ceasing. I heard this described this way once. Knock. And knock, and knock, and knock, and knock... Get the point. Never give up knocking on the door. Christ never promises to open the door when we want it to be opened, but He will open it eventually. Prayers always get answered. Maybe not in the timing or the method of our choosing but hey, we aren't God.

Give thanks in all circumstances... Kind of like the rejoicing one isn't it? Does all really mean all? Like when the washer breaks down, and the car won't start, and one of the kid's spills red kool-aid on the new carpet. Am I supposed to give thanks then?

For this is the will of God for me in Christ Jesus. When my focus is on the cross and not on the mess on the floor or the fact that there is more month than money, then I am "In Christ". Not easy that is for certain... But fulfilling.

Psa 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
Psa 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Lord, I pray that you will help me to fulfill the verses in 1st Thessalonians. I want to rejoice always. I desire to be earnest in prayer continually, and I find it difficult but want to give thanks in all things. Being any other way is being like the one's who don't know you. Let me be a testimony to you in my circumstances so others can come to know You in theirs.