Greatly Rejoice
Today’s Verse:
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: ~1 Peter 1:6
One of my favorite words in the Bible is “rejoice.” It means "joy elevated to a higher level." In Matthew 5:12, it means to be “exceeding glad,” Peter says that is it is “exceeding joy.” The idea of rejoicing implies we have a joy that is abundant, beyond description, and overflowing. Peter said that the believers he wrote to greatly rejoiced.
We can greatly rejoice in our security.
In verses 2-5, Peter describes the eternal security of every believer. Our salvation is purchased through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through His resurrection, we have a lively hope for the future. It is the anticipation that we have an inheritance that cannot be corrupted and is imperishable. It is the fact that our mortal bodies shall put on immortal and our corruptible bodies shall put on incorruptible. It cannot be defiled, and it does not become worn out, outdated, or unavailable. When we get saved, we have a place reserved in Heaven for us. Since salvation is the gift of God, it is God’s power that keeps us saved. Faith alone in God’s saving grace gives us hope and a blessed assurance of the eternal security that we have in Him. Rejoice that you are forever saved!
We can greatly rejoice in our suffering.
Peter said that they were in heaviness through manifold temptations. These believers were going through the fiery trial of persecution, rejection, poverty, and being disowned by loved ones. Fiery trials describe the intensity of the trial. We can rejoice in our trials because the Lord is with us in the fire. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Instead of burning us, the fiery trials burn away the dross of sin in our lives and makes us found with honor and praise. A faith that endures fiery trials is said to be more precious than gold which perisheth. Believers who faithfully endure fiery trials can rejoice that the Lord will acknowledge them at His coming. “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).
We can greatly rejoice in our Saviour.
These believers suffered, but they loved our Lord. “Whom having not seen, ye love.” Rejoice that Jesus was crucified. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Rejoice that Jesus is constant. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus is for us and not against us. Jesus is with us always. Jesus loves us always. "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Rejoice that Jesus is coming. At His appearing, the dead in Christ shall be raised first; then, we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet our Lord in the air. Peter said that they greatly rejoiced with joy unspeakable.
Be a rejoicing Christian! We must live in the spirit of joy unspeakable and full of glory. Don’t let the temporary of your circumstances steal your joy from you. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice!
Have a rejoicing God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 13-15