There is a delightful passage at the end of the book of Philippians, two paragraphs (4:4-7). One begins this way … “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
That passage begins with rejoicing and ends with the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds.
Rejoicing! The Greek word in the New Testament is CHAIRO, which means to be glad, calmly happy, and joyful. The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for rejoice is ‘ALATS and it means to spin or jump for joy.
In 2 Samuel 6, David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant down from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David. It says he DANCED before the Lord, and it uses a Hebrew word, KARAR, which means to whirl. David was leaping, spinning, and whirling in dance. He was rejoicing. The Old Testament way. I like that.
We are to rejoice always in the Lord. Paul tells us that twice. We can be New Testament rejoicers — glad, calmly happy, and full of joy. That will please God abundantly. That will result in the peace of God abiding in our hearts and minds.
We can be Old Testament rejoicers – spinning, dancing, and whirling! That will please God abundantly and bear the same results.
Personally, I want to be like David before the ark. Unfortunately, my body is no longer conducive to leaping, dancing, and whirling, but while I cannot leap, dance or whirl with my body, I can certainly do it with my heart!
Let us Rejoice in the Lord always!
