15 Bible Verses About Rejoicing in the Lord
The tulip poplar leaves are just beginning to emerge like tiny hands waving at the cobalt sky. For six fleeting months, they will greet the dawn with their flapping waves as if they’re living to the full. As I gaze at them, they’re a reminder of how to rejoice in the Lord no matter what the season of life looks like. I pull out my Bible in search of refreshing Bible verses about rejoicing in the Lord.
Today, I’ll begin by sharing these Bible verses about rejoicing in the Lord. Then, we’ll discuss practical ways to find joy in the Lord. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free online devotional to help you enjoy God’s presence.
15 Bible Verses About Rejoicing in the Lord
Let’s see what the Bible says about rejoicing in the Lord.
Bible Verses About Rejoicing in the Lord
1. Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words while imprisoned.
We can have joy in even the direst circumstances because God is with us. He is the source of our joy and peace.
2. John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jesus taught that the way to have joy was to remain connected to him. Referring to himself as the Vine, he described his followers as the branches. The branches bear fruit by remaining connected to the vine.
In this way, we find joy and a sense of purpose: We remain connected to Jesus.
For a list of practical ways to help deepen your connection to Jesus, join me here.
3. John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Rather than being surprised when troubles come, we should realistically expect difficulties in life. But this doesn’t mean we’re called to lives of gloom and doom.
Jesus declared that we would face trouble. He then reminded us that he has overcome the world. In his presence, we can endure even the most difficult situations.
4. Matthew 16:26
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Many people spend their lives chasing temporal possessions and achievements.
We can gain the whole world but still lose our souls.
True joy is found through surrendering to Jesus and following him.
5. Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded his listeners not to worry. Just as God fed the birds, he would feed and care for them.
This promise is true for us today as well.
Rather than worrying, may we watch for God’s provision.
6. Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Some people live with the false belief that God is holding out on them.
This verse speaks otherwise. Would a father allow his own child to die for someone else and then not care for that person?
You are precious to God. Find your joy in this unchangeable aspect of your identity.
7. Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
If you have decided to follow Jesus, you are clothed with the garment of salvation.
Find your joy here!
If you have not decided to follow Jesus, what is holding you back from making him the Lord and Leader of your life?
8. Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy is found in God’s presence.
God is everywhere, which means joy is always possible. Our role is to open our spiritual eyes to become more aware of God’s presence.
9. Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah reminded God’s people of their source of strength: God’s joy.
What expression do you imagine on God’s face when he looks at you?
You fill him with joy. God smiles upon you. Receive this joy, and you will be forever changed by it.
10. Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Believing in God is a source of unshakable joy.
Everything else in our lives might fall apart, but God does not change. Find your peace and joy here.
11. Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
When we stay close to the Lord, we bear good fruit.
If your life lacks joy, seek the Lord. He wants to fill you with joy.
12. Psalm 30:5
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
We all face sorrow in life.
During these times, we can remind ourselves that God is with us. One day, he will wipe away all tears and make all things new.
13. Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
We are to testify to God’s goodness.
When we don’t feel joyful, talking about God’s goodness can lift our heads and fill us with his joy.
14. Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.
Again, this verse reminds us that as we walk with God, the joy of his presence fills us.
Are you walking with God by obeying him as well as you know how? Talk to him about this today.
15. Psalm 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
God’s joy is deeper and stronger than circumstantial joy. It can carry us through even the darkest times.
Apply These Bible Verses About Rejoicing in the Lord to Your Life
A red-winged blackbird glides over the field behind the house, and our caged quail calls for a mate. I turn the pages for words about how to live this day to its fullest, and I find them:
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Perhaps this verse holds the secret for how to rejoice in the Lord in every season. Let’s unpack this verse and see what it can teach us about how to rejoice in the Lord.
1. I can rejoice in the Lord when I remember that this day is his gift to me.
The Lord has brought this day to pass, and it is his gift to me: “This is the day which the Lord has made.”
I can rejoice in it when I receive the day as grace and count the blessings and the trials as grace, unmerited favor.
I find joy when I choose to believe that the long line of traffic is all part of some divine plan and when I leave space in my days to talk to strangers. Additionally, I uncover joy when I slow my pace and take photos of flowers in the yard. In these moments, I learn to give thanks for God’s gifts throughout my days.
In these ways, gratitude teaches me how to rejoice in the Lord, even on the hardest days. I count each day as a gift and don’t waste the gift by being ungrateful.
2. I can rejoice when I choose to cultivate joy instead of grumbling.
The second part of the verse reads, “let us rejoice.”
Each day offers a choice: I will either choose to cultivate joy or choose to cultivate grumbling.
I can grumble about the weather, or I can give thanks for another day to feel the hot sun upon my skin.
I can complain about the messes my family leaves for me to clean up, or I can thank God that I have a family to clean up after. Instead of focusing on the work they bring into my life, I can thank God for their presence.
The same is true in the workplace. I can grumble about my boss, my workload, or my coworkers. Or I can thank God that I have a job and aim to love others when I go to work each day.
Each day offers a choice: I will either choose to cultivate joy or choose to cultivate grumbling. #choosejoy #encounteringGod #gratitude Share on X3. I can rejoice in the Lord by remembering that he is my great reward.
The final part of the verse reads, “be glad in it.”
I learn how to rejoice in the Lord when I learn to see God’s hand in all of my moments. When I see God, I see him in the leaves bursting forth from the poplar tree. I see him in the eyes of the delivery man as he walks to the door with his tired shoulders and a forced smile.
God is present in the tenderness of my child’s embrace, but he is also present amid the frustration of the computer software that refuses to download. No matter what happens to me on any given day, he is my great reward.
I reflect on this as the springtime wind blows from the south.
The poplar leaves point heavenward: tiny hands, praising their Maker. I commit to continue praising him, too, no matter what comes my way.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love.
Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You With Finding Joy in the Lord
I have a gift for you today. Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE right here.
Scriptures: James 4:14, Psalm 118:24 NASB
This post was first published on May 17, 2017.
