The very first Word THE LORD spoke to the women after He rose from the dead, was: “Rejoice!” (Matthew 28:9).

It was a victorious revelation Paul walked in always. And we must likewise do, as he commanded:

“Rejoice in THE LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.

Paul had a lot of sorrowful situations and harrowing experiences worse than we can imagine let alone experience, yet he was always rejoicing.

He shared the revelation in five words: “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”, (2 Corinthians 6:10).

It is because being “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” brings Great Grace upon us.

Rejoicing before THE LORD offers Sacrifices of Joy to Him, and releases His Riches in Glory to us.

“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer Sacrifices of Joy in His Tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to THE LORD.” Psalm 27:6.

By Sacrifices of Joy, we “rejoice in hope of The Glory of GOD.” (Romans 5:2).

Sacrifices of Joy offered to GOD move Him to do joyful things for those who offer them to Him. Additionally, they dislodge and destroy the enemy. Sacrifices of Joy are mighty weapons against the enemy.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in GOD for pulling down strongholds,” 2 Corinthians 10:4.

What are Sacrifices of Joy?

All HOLY SPIRIT-led rejoicing before THE LORD, such as:

• singing praises to GOD with a joyful heart,
• giving thanks to GOD with a grateful heart,
• dancing to GOD with a merry heart,
• clapping the hands with joy to GOD (Psalm 47:1),
• shouting to GOD with a voice of triumph (Psalm 47:1; 35:27; 81:1; 95:1; 118:15),
• laughing Holy Laughter (laughing joyfully to GOD, and laughing the enemy to scorn – Psalm 2:1–5; 37:12-15), are some Sacrifices of Joy we can offer to Him.

I like to pray and sing to GOD like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25), I like to rejoice and give thanks to GOD like David and Paul (Psalms 107;118;136; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), I like to dance like David – “leaping and whirling before THE LORD” (2 Samuel 6:16–22); yes, I like to dance like THE LORD Himself (Zephaniah 3:17). For, doing such in THE HOLY SPIRIT are Sacrifices of Joy to Him. And He LOVES them!

We must always be minded to “do those things that are pleasing in His Sight.” (1 John 3:22). Such things include offering Sacrifices of Joy to Him.

We must love and do the things His Kingdom is about, “for The Kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking, but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in THE HOLY SPIRIT.” (Romans 14:17).

Some weeks ago, as is my custom (Mark 10:1), I was singing and dancing, JOYFULLY praising THE LORD.

Then, I had a vision of a gigantic Fountain Pen with a smooth, beautiful, elegantly cossetted broad V-shaped titanium nib in chrome finish with black housing.

It was held by The Hand of GOD, and was being gently but firmly lowered, nearly touching the writing surface – the paper, about to write.

I had the vision the very moment I again said to THE LORD: “Give me Grace to minister to THE LORD as the prophets and teachers did in Acts 13:1.”

Immediately, The Fountain Pen vision appeared.

I believe that THE LORD was saying that my sacrifices of praise to Him have come up for a memorial before GOD. They were being noted.

Always rejoicing is an always-on Grace to have in CHRIST.

Rejoicing in the face of sorrow releases GOD’s Solutions to problems.

As I wrote in “Praising GOD Releases His ALMIGHTY Military Power For Swift Victory”, it is a GREAT Spiritual Weapon and warfare strategy for victory when you praise GOD in misery.

Appellations to Him in affliction swiftly attract His Attention and Deliverance.

With great injustice, Paul and Silas had been “beaten with rods.” (Acts 16:22). And then put in maximum security prison, with no hope of release.

But their prayer and praise to GOD moved Him to set them free from their chains. And He had them released from prison that same night.

Praise releases The Power of GOD for immediate deliverance and victory.

King Jehoshaphat and his people resorted to ‘praise The Beauty of Holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise THE LORD, For His Mercy endures forever.” ’ (2 Chronicles 20:21).

And THE LORD fought and utterly destroyed the enemy forces for them, as well as gave them GREAT spoils of war so much that they were three days gathering the riches, (2 Chronicles 20:21-25).

The Spiritual lesson?

When they were facing a very sorrowful situation, yet were rejoicing with praise to GOD, their sorrow turned to joy.

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing will give you ‘ “…Beauty for ashes, The Oil of Joy for mourning, The Garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of THE LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.’ (Isaiah 61:3-4).

 

“The LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:22.
“Farewell” Acts 15:29.
~ Jacob Addison Awagah

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Jacob, an apostle of JESUS CHRIST by The Will of GOD, according to The Promise of Life Which is in CHRIST JESUS, (2 Timothy 1:1).
Like John, I like to put my head to The Heart of JESUS so as to know and do His Will always. What’s in His Heart is what matters now and FOREVER. His Heart’s Desire is my only desire. My will is to do His Will.
As John was, I am the disciple whom JESUS loves. And like Paul, I am “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 3:1) for His Purpose forever: to obey Him always.
NB. Surely, the disciple whom JESUS loves and “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS”, like ALL The Promises of GOD, are available to every believer to obtain, just as John and Paul did.
“And having been perfected, He [JESUS] became The Author of Eternal Salvation to all who obey Him,” Hebrews 5:9.

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