Rejoice and Be Glad:
Seeking God in All Things

Rejoice and Be Glad:
Seeking God in All Things

Psalm 70:4 (NLT): But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'God is great!'

Today, we delve into Psalm 70:4, a verse that calls us to rejoice and be glad as we seek God and celebrate His salvation. This Psalm, written by David, is a plea for God's help in times of trouble, yet it contains profound truths about joy and worship that are relevant to us today. Let us explore how searching for God can fill us with joy, how loving His salvation leads us to proclaim His greatness, and how these truths transform our lives.

Joy in Seeking God
Psalm 70:4 (NLT): "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you."

David's prayer is that those who earnestly seek God will experience joy and gladness. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is a deep, abiding pleasure in God's presence. Seeking God involves pursuing Him through prayer, worship, and studying His Word. When we seek God, we find Him, and in His presence, there is fullness of joy.

Psalm 16:11 (NLT): "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

In Psalm 16:11, David expresses a profound confidence in God's guidance and the joy that comes from His presence. The "way of life" refers to the path of righteousness and eternal life that God reveals to His people. This verse highlights two key aspects: the guidance of God and the joy that comes from being in His presence. The joy David speaks of is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding delight found in a relationship with God. This joy is everlasting, continuing into eternity, where believers will fully experience the pleasures of living with God forever.

This verse reinforces the idea that true joy is found in God's presence.

Imagine a child playing hide and seek. The excitement and joy the child feels when finding a hidden friend reflect our joy when we find God in our daily lives. This joy is a divine gift that fills our hearts when we draw near to Him.

John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Our joy in God glorifies Him and reflects His goodness to the world.

Proclaiming God's Greatness
Psalm 70:4 (NLT): "May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'God is great!'"

Loving God's salvation leads to an outpouring of praise. When we understand and appreciate the magnitude of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, our natural response is to declare His greatness. This proclamation is not a one-time event but a continual expression of gratitude and worship.

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT): "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9 speaks to the identity and purpose of believers. Peter contrasts believers with those who reject God, emphasising that Christians are a "chosen people," set apart for a special purpose. The terms "royal priests" and "holy nation" indicate a sacred calling to serve God and represent Him to the world. As God's possession, believers are called to reflect His goodness and proclaim His praises. This calling is rooted in the transformative experience of being brought out of darkness and into God's marvellous light, symbolising salvation and the new life in Christ.

This verse emphasises our identity and mission to declare God's goodness.

Consider the enthusiasm of a sports fan whose team has just won the championship. They can't help but shout and celebrate. Similarly, when we grasp the depth of God's salvation, our hearts overflow with praise, and we can't help but tell others about His greatness.

Charles Spurgeon stated, "A great God should be greatly praised."

Our praise should match the greatness of our God, reflecting our love for His salvation.

Transformation through Worship
Psalm 70:4 (NLT): "May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'God is great!'"

Worship transforms us. When we seek God and proclaim His greatness, it changes our perspective and aligns our hearts with His. This transformation impacts how we live, making us more like Christ and enabling us to shine His light in the world.

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul urges believers to respond to God's mercy by offering themselves as living sacrifices. This call to total commitment involves dedicating one's body and life to God's service, which is described as the true and proper worship. Paul contrasts this with conforming to the world's patterns, which are often contrary to God's ways. Instead, believers are to undergo a transformation by renewing their minds, allowing God to change their thinking and understanding. This renewal leads to discernment of God's will, which is characterised as good, pleasing, and perfect.

This passage highlights the transformative power of true worship.

A potter shapes clay on the wheel, moulding it into a beautiful vessel. Similarly, as we worship and seek God, He shapes us, refining our character and purposes to reflect His glory.

A.W. Tozer once said, "Worship is the missing jewel of the church."

True worship transforms us and restores this precious jewel, enhancing our spiritual lives and witness.

Conclusion
These verses encourage us to seek God's presence, embrace our identity and purpose in Christ, and live transformed lives that reflect His glory. May we strive to live out these truths daily, experiencing the fullness of joy and purpose that comes from knowing and serving our great God.

In seeking God, proclaiming His greatness, and allowing worship to transform us, we experience the fullness of joy and the richness of His presence. Let us be a people who continuously seek the Lord, declare His greatness, and are transformed by our worship.

Application and Call to Action
Seek God Daily: Commit to daily prayer and Bible study, intentionally seeking God's presence and wisdom.

Proclaim His Greatness: Make it a habit to share your testimony and the greatness of God with others, both in words and actions.

Transformative Worship: Engage in worship that transforms you, offering your life as a living sacrifice and allowing God to shape you into the person He created you to be.

May we all be filled with joy and gladness as we seek God, love His salvation, and proclaim His greatness.