WEEK 29: Worship is rejoicing.

Are you generally calm and non-emotional, even if you are happy? Or do you show your happiness by shouting and jumping up and down? How do you express your excitement when your team scores a shot or wins the game? Does your church shout and jump to express praises to God during the worship service? I have been in some worship services that shout, jump, and dance with great joy and gladness as they worship God and what He has done.

So, what does rejoicing mean? Dictionary.com (2024) says it is to be glad or delight in something. Synonyms are glory, exalt, and revel. Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary (1890) says in the Hebrew translation that rejoicing is likened to singing, shouting, or crying out joyfully in triumph. The Greek translation varies but means to jump for joy, exult, and be exceedingly glad. These descriptions describe someone who is emotionally happy, like when their team scores a point. Do you feel the same excitement about being triumphant over sin and over the evil schemes of the devil? Do you feel excited about the victory Jesus gives you through faith, and the power He gives you to overcome temptation?

King David also encourages us to “Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name (Psalm 97:12)!” In Psalm 32:11, he says, “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” In most churches, someone who shouts would be considered a radicalized Christian, but this verse calls all the upright in heart to shout for joy. Interestingly, only those who are right with God rejoice and give thanks to His Holy name. Do you rejoice and give thanks to God?

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you (Philippians 3:1).” The NIV and NASV say that rejoicing is a safeguard. A safeguard is something that serves as a protection or defense or that ensures safety. Why is rejoicing safe, and what is it keeping us safe from? If you are not rejoicing, then what are you doing? When we are focused on our Lord, we have joy, but when we focus on anything else, we feel despair or practice idolatry.

Paul also wrote to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Php 4:4).” As you go through the worship focuses this week, shout and dance for joy. Try to stay focused on the Lord throughout your day and rejoice. The more you do something, the easier it becomes.

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WEEK 29 –July 16-July 22

Day 197-July 16—Worship God because He chose you to receive spiritual blessings.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. –Ephesians 1:3-4

Day 198-July 17—Worship God for his great love and making you alive, then raising you up.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. –Ephesians 2:4-6

Day 199-July 18—Worship God who strengthens you with power.

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. – Ephesians 3:16

Day 200-July 19—Worship God’s ability to do more than you can think or ask.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. –Ephesians 3:20 

Day 201-July 20—Worship God for His grace and gifts.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” – Ephesians 4:7-8

Day 202-July 21—Worship God for the strength and armor He gives us for protection from evil.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11

Day 203-July 22—Worship God for sending Jesus as the light of life.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. – John 1:9

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All verses are from the English Standard Bible. To review the previous weeks, go to the 365 Days of Worship Page. This material is copyright protected.