Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Friday, November 5, 2021

A frosty morning in Lancaster County at the Silverstone Barn

"Rejoicing With Those Who Rejoice"

Message summary: Today you know some people who are rejoicing don't you? I sure hope so. Be sure to wholeheartedly rejoice with them.

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"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).

Yesterday I was talking to a brother who joyfully shared with me about reaching a significant milestone in his life. He was rejoicing and pleased to share with me and I was quick to rejoice with him. I practiced the first part of our daily text, "rejoice with those who rejoice".

As I think about my conversation yesterday I recall a point our pastor, Beau Eckert, made in a sermon several weeks ago. He was commenting on our daily text which struck both Brooksyne and me at the time, and I have since mused upon it. He candidly shared how that rejoicing with those who rejoice can be a struggle:

"We often don’t talk about rejoicing with those who rejoice because we assume that’s easy. Hey, when someone’s having a great day it’s easy to rejoice with them. I actually, in my own personal life, think it’s harder to rejoice with those who are rejoicing than it is to weep with those who are weeping. When someone’s going through a difficult time we know it’s time to rally, it’s time to step up alongside of them.

We don’t often talk about rejoicing with those who rejoice. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s hard for me. When something good happens to somebody else there’s something in us that might say, 'Oh, I wish that would have happened to me. I wish I would have gotten that promotion, I wish I would have gotten that new whatever. I wish I would have gotten into that school. I wish….whatever it is….' but are we able to rightly understand who we are in Christ and be secure in our position in Christ so that when something good happens to somebody else we can genuinely come alongside them and rejoice with them. That to me is harder than weeping with those who weep."

Indeed at times we may be "rejoicing with those who are rejoicing" while we ourselves may not be experiencing what the rejoicing one is joyful about! Now for the record I have also attained the specific milestone the brother shared about in our opening paragraph. But truthfully there have been times in life that has not been the case. A variety of negative emotions can come to the surface among them; envy, jealousy and a feeling of unfairness.

Spurgeon forthrightly acknowledges that it is harder to rejoice with those who rejoice than to weep with those who weep:

"I really believe that it is easier to weep with them that weep than it is to rejoice with them that do rejoice; for this old flesh of ours begins to envy those who rejoice, whereas it does not so much object to sympathize with those that sorrow. Carry out both commands. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice. Weep with them that weep.”

As Beau said, I need to rightly understand who I am in Christ and be secure in my position in Christ that when something good happens to somebody else I can genuinely come alongside them and rejoice with them. The ability to genuinely rejoice for another person’s blessings is a true test of confident faith that our times and experiences are in God's hands.

Today you know some people who are rejoicing don't you? I sure hope so. Be sure to wholeheartedly rejoice with them. And you know some folks who are weeping. What a great ministry opportunity God has given us to place our arms around one who is hurting as we help to bear their heavy burden. Let's do both today!

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, like Jesus who taught His listeners how they were to treat one another, Paul also teaches us how we are to relate to one another. I want to genuinely rejoice with those who rejoice and compassionately weep with those who weep, according to Scripture. You have not called believers to live in isolation, but to be moved by the emotions of others, whether it is that of joy or that of sorrow. May I be sensitive and moved by Your Holy Spirit in all ways. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"My Life is in Your Hands" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"Look What You've Done" Video Tasha Layton When I spoke to the rejoicing brother (in my opening illustration), he shared that this song well described his emotions, "Look What You've Done", giving God all the glory!

"Yes I Will" Video Vertical Worship

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). (Video segment from sermon quoted in our message cued to this point)

We had breakfast yesterday at Crackerbarrell and visited with these two single young farmers, 22 and 20 years old. They were planning on harvesting organic hay later in the morning when it dried out a bit. I expressed my appreciation to them and was heartened to see these two young men living responsibly with a testimony for Christ.

Another view at the Silverstone, a wedding venue near Rockvale Outlets.

The rose bushes were bitten by the frost as we left Cracker Barrel yesterday morning. Brooksyne took this photo - it not only looks like frost but also like it's been dipped in sugar.

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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