Rejoice by J. D. Brown

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1862

Rejoice.

By J. D. Brown

REJOICE in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice. Phil. iv, 4.

It is a well known fact that the profession of religion is looked upon by the unbeliever as possessing little or no enjoyment, save what he may find in the pleasures of the world.

If the command of Paul were obeyed this would not be the case. The professor is often found repining at his lot, or discouraged because he has met with some worldly loss. He ought not thus to live. A person's house may have been burned with fire, and can he rejoice? Yes. To be sure he may have to endure hardship and suffer on account of his loss; but he can rejoice in view of a "house not made with hands eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. v, 2. Another may have lost a farm, but rather than to grieve for the loss he can rejoice that he may obtain an inheritance in the new earth, Matt. v, 5.

There are some things in which the Christian should not rejoice.

"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth." Prov. xxiv, 17. Charity "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." But Paul says "Rejoice in the Lord." There are many good things in which the saints may rejoice. "Be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy." Isa. lxv, 18. Our Saviour said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake," "rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven." Luke, vi, 12. "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke x, 20.

If professors would live so that the world would hate them for their well doing and then instead of reviling again would "rejoice" it would show to the unbeliever, that they were not living for the pleasures or friendship of the world, but that they had a hope which he knew nothing of and that they would rather obey the Lord than please man. Reader you have many causes for rejoicing. You can rejoice in the goodness of God. Do you enjoy health? It is through his goodness. Do you have food and raiment? He permits it. Have you kind friends? The Lord giveth them. After the apostles were beaten for preaching the gospel, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, they were found "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts v, 41.

You may say that you do not feel like rejoicing. If so, meditate upon God's law, and keep his statutes; for "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" and "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart." Ps. xix, 7, 8. If you have not obeyed the word of the Lord, make haste to do the same, and then you can go on your way rejoicing. Acts viii, 39.

Then let us "rejoice in the Lord alway." We can be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." 2 Cor. vi, 10. We can keep the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus. We can watch for our coming king, and when he comes we can say "Lo this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. xxv, 9.

J. D. BROWN.

Waverly, Mich.