Another Reason to Rejoice

Tuesday February 17, 2026

Another reason to rejoice.  Our psalm reading this morning says, “God, within your temple, we contemplate your faithful love” (Psalm 48:9).  Stop for a moment and do that.  The King James Version renders it “lovingkindness”.  The Hebrew word used is defines as goodness or kindness, but also faithfulness.  It can also be translated as merciful.  When I think about faithful love, I tend to remember all the times that God patient dealt with me.  As I think back at my life, I see times when I was spiritually very immature.  Over the years, God has corrected me, and tenderly guided me in His paths.  He has made provisions for me over the years, and has been there for me when I cried out.  When man would have given up on me, God did not.  Now, this is not to say I have attained, I have not and I’m still pressing toward the mark.  And as wonderful as it is to contemplate the faithful love of God, this is not the reason the psalmist says to rejoice.  He then begins to talk about God’s right hand being filled with justice before stating, “Mount Zion is glad.  Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments” (v.11).   I believe this is primarily talking about God’s judgments as it pertains to enemies, but aren’t you glad for God’s justice and judgment in your own life?  I’m glad God deals with me and my sin.  Sin is bad!  It is not only bad in that God is holy and is an offense to Him, but sin is bad for us.  There is a reason God tells us to avoid certain things, or to give attention and do certain things.  It is for our good.  So, when we err, we should rejoice that God executes justice in our own lives.  But, on our time on earth, we will face some big enemies.  Enemies that are much bigger than us, but none that are bigger than God.  We are God’s children.  He watches over us and protects us.  This does not mean we won’t face persecution, but it does mean that we will never face it alone.  There is nothing that can happen to us that surprises God or that He is not aware of.  Again, that doesn’t mean we won’t face hardships, persecution, or even death.  As God walks with us, we can rejoice in knowing that He will execute justice and judgment.  He will ultimately make things right.  Thus, even in persecution, we can rejoice because of God’s judgments.