Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
What does it really mean to rejoice? Is it just about feeling happy? Is it something we do only when life is going well or things fall into place?
In today’s world, rejoicing can feel out of place—even unrealistic. Students are under pressure to perform. Young professionals face anxiety about careers and finances. Parents juggle endless responsibilities while running on little energy. Seniors often wrestle with loneliness, declining health, or the ache of missing loved ones. At every stage of life, burdens try to outweigh joy. So, how do we rejoice when life feels anything but joyful?
Psalm 33:1 gives us a powerful reminder: “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.” Notice—it doesn’t say rejoice in your situation, but rejoice in the Lord. This kind of joy isn’t circumstantial—it’s relational. It flows from who God is, not what’s happening around us.
Rejoicing is a choice, an act of faith. It’s praising even when we’re still waiting, trusting even when we’re unsure, and finding our melody in His mercy, not in our moment.
Here are some practical ways to rejoice in the Lord daily: Start your day with gratitude—write down three things you’re thankful for. Play worship music to lift your spirit. Speak God’s promises aloud. Help someone in need—it shifts your focus. And take five quiet minutes just to thank Him—even for the small things.
Joy in the Lord doesn’t depend on what’s happening around you—it depends on who He is.
Today is International Peace Day. In a world as chaotic and unstable as ever, let’s remember, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
