GOD’S REJOICING OVER US

God’s word for His people is not, “no,” but, “yes!”  His desire is not to express judgment, but joy.

Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.  (Jeremiah 32:41)

God’s rejoicing does not stop with emotion, but extends to action.  He delights to establish us in the place of blessing. All of His heart and soul—all His desire is directed toward us.  That is the Father’s heart for His children!

Jesus has joy in us and shares His joy with us.

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11).”

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13)

Not only does the Father have joy and extends that joy to us, but so does the Son.  Jesus speaks of His joy.  He certainly was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief—but He was likewise a man of smiles and acquainted with gladness!  It is that same joy which Jesus wants to abide in us—a heavenly happiness which elevates our human happiness!

We cannot win the world to Christ if we are not winsome, and that is predicated on being a smiling saint and not a sourpuss!  Joy is evidence of regeneration by the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  (Gal.5:22-23a, emphasis added)

The Triune God is full of gladness as we see the Holy Spirit is the root of joy in the believer.  After love, isn’t it interesting to find that joy is the next virtue listed in this cluster of spiritual fruit?  Perhaps we have not placed as high a value on it as we ought!

Ultimately, heaven will be a place of boundless joy in the Lord. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matt.25:23). As the old Gospel song, “Heaven’s Jubilee”, expresses it:

Some glad morning we shall see, Jesus in the air
Coming after you and me, joy is ours to share
What rejoicing there will be, when the saints shall rise
Headed for that jubilee, yonder in the skies

Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies

Seems that now I almost see, all the sainted dead
Rising for that jubilee, that is just ahead
In the twinkling of an eye, changed with them to be
All the living saints to fly, to that jubilee.

Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies

When with all that heavenly host, we begin to sing
Singing in the Holy Ghost, how the heavens will ring
Millions there will join the song, with them we shall be
Praising Christ through ages long, heaven's jubilee.

Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies
(Songwriters: A.M. Pace / G.T. Speer)

GOD’S GLADNESS IN HIS PEOPLE

Zephaniah 3:17 ought to inspire us to rejoice in a God who rejoices in His people!

“The LORD your God in your midst” is the delight of God’s people in the presence of God with them.  There is no greater joy and no higher satisfaction than to be in communion with God.  It is for this we were made in His image, and this is what Adam and Eve enjoyed before sin disrupted the fellowship. It was that communion which God also found delight in and so has moved to restore it in Christ.  We want to be with those we love.  Separation from them by distance or death grieves us.  God loves us and wants to be with us, and nothing can separate us from His love if we desire it (Rom.8:35-39).

“The Mighty One, will save” means that the One with us is not just a loyal, sympathetic companion—though He is that—but, is mighty to save!  God delights in the deliverance of sinners into salvation and saints into consolation.  He not only is well-pleased to do so, but well able!  Think of Jesus and all He suffered on the cross to bring us redemption, yet Hebrews 12:2 says, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Jesus had joy despite His pain in accomplishing His mission.  This is the gladness of God toward us.  Salvation is the greatest provision for our greatest problem at the greatest price for the greatest purpose—the glory of God!

“He will rejoice over you with gladness” we are told. Is this not an amazing picture?  We can bring joy to the heart of God!  Not only is our delight found in Him, but He has pleasure in us!  John Piper has a trademark saying, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Our glorifying Him brings forth gladness in God’s gracious heart.  Think about what we have already said of our coming to Him and His salvation of us and recall the story of the Prodigal Son—which would more appropriately be known as the parable of the Father’s Heart.  Remember how the father ran to meet the boy?  Recall their embrace and the rejoicing—along with the party that was prepared!  This is how God rejoices over us!

“He will quiet you with His love” means that when our mind is racing and our heart is in turmoil, God will give us peace.  His constant love will quiet us as when He spoke to the storm and said, “Peace; be still!”  The winds and waves had to obey Him.

“He will rejoice over you with singing.”  We know we should rejoice over the Lord with singing, but have we ever considered that God rejoices over us in song?  How astonishing—yet, it is true.  There is a song in God’s heart when He contemplates His children, and it issues forth in the most splendid voice when He rejoices over us!

This is God’s gladness in His people!