Rejoicing in the Lord is bragging on the Lord; being grateful to the Lord; being happy in the Lord; giving the Lord the credit He deserves for the great things He has done. There are many ways to rejoice in the Lord: prayer, songs, spoken words, written words, grateful contemplation, and many more.
Hear the words spoken by Isaiah the prophet:
Why do you rejoice in the Lord? Here are three reasons.
1. The Lord empowers you (vv13-16). He guides your hand the way that a father holds the hand of his son when he is teaching him a new skill such as fishing or archery. He helps you the way a father helps his young son to hit a baseball for the very first time. The Lord provides the strength you need for the tasks at hand. He empowers you. Rejoice in the Lord.
2. The Lord removes your fear (vv13-14). In comparison to God, you are as small as a worm (see verse 14). Yet, God loves you so much that He speaks deep into your emotions to remove your fear. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you do not have to be afraid because He is with you, and He is your God. Moment by moment, one emotional, mental and spiritual battle at a time, He removes your fear. When He does, rejoice in the Lord.
3. The Lord gives you victory (vv11-12). When Jesus died on the cross, He broke the curse of sin. When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved to be the One who gives us power over every sin, temptation and struggle we face, even the enemy of death itself. When you trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, your life is changed forever, your sin is forgiven, and your home in heaven is secure. As you face the challenges of each day, you do not have to wonder if God will help you to have victory over sins, temptations and struggles. You simply need to stand in His victory, and trust Him to defeat your enemies one at a time. Trust in Him. Depend on Him. Walk in victory. He will guide you. He will empower you. He will remove your fear. He will give you victory. And when He does, rejoice in the Lord.
As Paul writes in Philippians 4:4 — rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!