In the last three days, we’ve learned about stirring up the power of the Holy Spirit in us, the importunity in prayer, and how to make prophetic declarations while we wait.

Finally in this season, we would be examining one more way by which we can wait on the Lord: rejoicing.

While waiting, it is easy for discouragement to set in or for us to lose sight of what God said he would do.  Especially in cases when it seems as though we’ve been waiting for a while. However, we see through scripture that as believers, rather than worry or be discouraged, we should rejoice.

Philippians 4:4,6

New King James Version

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Rather than being anxious, discouraged, or worried about how long waiting is taking, how about you begin to rejoice in anticipation for all that God has said he would do? Rejoicing causes us to steer our focus away from our anxieties and worries thus increasing our faith in God. Scripture says to rejoice always!! This means that even in the waiting you should rejoice.

John 8:56

New King James Version

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

Here, scripture records that Abraham, while expecting the fulfillment of the promise of a Saviour, rejoiced! This must be your attitude as you wait on God. Many times, we are quick to sulk, complain, and question God’s faithfulness while we wait. We must learn to trust God beyond what our physical eyes can see. Don’t fall into the trap of rejoicing only when your prayers are answered. Rejoice in anticipation and rejoice in the manifestation, rejoice always! This is how we win!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 

New King James Version

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

It’s Gods will for you to rejoice always, so even when the circumstances seem contradictory, even when everything around you serves to discourage you, choose rejoicing! Rejoice always was repeated in different epistles meaning that it’s something we should take note of.

Romans 12:11-12 

New King James Version

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

This text was speaking about rejoicing in our confident hope in Jesus! Even when it comes to redemption our disposition is to rejoice so should it be for every one of God’s promises. While you wait give thanks, rejoice!

Ephesians 3:20 

New International Version

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

The Bible says he can do more than you can think or imagine, meaning there is a place for imagination, visualizing in your heart what the Lord is set to do. So imagine, see yourself having what you are waiting on, see yourself healed or in that new job. Then the moment you imagine it, begin to rejoice because as good as that image is, God is ready to do even more than our wildest imagination.

Prayer Point:

As I wait on the Lord, my joy is full and I am full of rejoicing! I refuse to worry, rather I rejoice in anticipation of all God’s promises!