“My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47)
Imagine seeing the poorest outcast, sitting outside the city gates in the sorrow and shame of an ash heap, begging for his next meal. Filthy, gaunt, a mere skeleton of a man with nothing but the look of want in his eyes.
But as you observe, something miraculous happens. The king himself comes through the gates and walks right up to him, reaches out his hand and lifts him up. He guides him back through the gates toward the palace where he is washed thoroughly, dressed in one of the king’s own garments, and ushered into the great dining room. To his utter amazement, there is a place setting with his name on it at the king’s table! A massive feast is spread, and the king’s servant invites him to sit and eat… and enjoy!
This scenario perfectly portrays what God, the King who is “enthroned on high,” does for His people, according to Psalm 113:7-9: “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes. Praise the Lord!” (Ps. 113:3, 7-9).
Those whom God rescues from the ash heap of despair have endless reasons to rejoice. The believer’s sins are perfectly forgiven. The condemnation of death that was on our heads is now gone, for divine justice has been completely satisfied in the Person and work of Jesus Christ for those who believe by faith in God’s Savior.
Therefore… “you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you,” (Deut. 26:11). The changed heart of the creature now supernaturally responds to goodness from the Creator… and joy and praise are the fitting response! What greater comfort and cause for rejoicing is there than to know we are rescued from the condemning power and filth of sin, from the destroying power of the devil, death, and hell, and our sins are pardoned!
Thomas Mockett said that true saints “have God reconciled, Christ to be their Savior, God to be their Father, the Holy Spirit to be their Sanctifier, Instructor, Guide, and Comforter, and heaven to be their everlasting inheritance; and that in the meantime, all things, even the worst, will work together for their spiritual and everlasting good, comfort, and happiness, through the all wise and overruling gracious providence of God (Rom. 8:28; Ps. 25:10).” For these reasons, we should be found “rejoicing in the Lord always: and again, I say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).
Do you adore God your Redeemer? Do you rejoice in Him? If it seems you’ve lost your joy, simply remember what God has done for you through Jesus Christ. See the bounty that waits for you at His table. See the beauty of redemption in His Word and the work of Christ in your heart, and your joy will be made full to overflowing once again!
- Do I rejoice in Your goodness to me, Father? Hannah praised You for her new son Samuel saying that she rejoiced in her heart. I want the joy of the Lord to be in my heart. Help me, Lord to rejoice exceedingly in You. Fill my heart with gladness and delight for You.
- Lord, I know You are a good God and that I can trust You to do me good all the days of my life. For this reason, I give myself over to You daily, by the help of Your Spirit, that I might glory in Your goodness. Help me see the importance of recognizing Your goodness, so I might fully rejoice in You and Your saving hand. Help me glorify Your goodness and testify to Your love by rejoicing in Jesus Christ.
- Am I consistently thankful for my salvation, Father? Do I rejoice in it and in You? I know I’m supposed to be thankful for all You do for me, both in those circumstances I see as good and those that are difficult. But that can be hard, especially when difficult times keep showing up. But if I think about Your goodness and the gift of Your Son, the difficult times become bearable. You are such a good God to me! Help me keep this truth in the forefront of my mind that I may be continually thankful for everything You’re doing in my life.
- I know that being thankful is spiritually beneficial to me. It is one way to rejoice more in You, because I know, from past experience, that being unthankful will squelch Your blessings in my life. So whenever I talk to You, Lord, I want thanksgiving and joy for who You are – and not just for what You can do for me – to season all my requests. Otherwise if I pray because I have to, or I’m not rejoicing in You, my requests alone, without thanksgiving, will not move You. Am I serving You with gladness and praying with thanksgiving today?
Further References for Luke 1:47
Hab. 3:18; Isa. 61:10; Ps. 35:9; 1 Sam. 2:1; Acts 8:39; Romans 5:2; Jude 1:25.
