Behind Our Godly Rejoicing

(III)  Acknowledging The Almighty God

 Exodus 18:11-12

       Acknowledging God’s awesome working in our lives and in the ministry that He has entrusted to us is a sign of spiritual intelligence. How sad, but many hard-working people who prosper in a great way disregard God as the source of their strength to get wealth. They boastfully call themselves as “self-made achievers” and see themselves as “success makers”, but they fail to realize the working of God behind their lives.

       In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, it is written, 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (KJV) May we not forget that without God we are nothing. 

-Our renewed mind acknowledges God’s

 sovereignty

       A closer observation on how Jethro behaved and spoke during his celebrated meeting with Moses and the whole congregation of Israel will erase all our doubts concerning his old faith. Evidently, Jethro had a renewed mind about the God of Israel. In Exodus 18:11, he said, Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. (KJV) He who does not acknowledge God’s sovereignty is not a true believer; but a person who remembers the goodness of God and repents from his sins will surely renew his mind. He will have a blessed mind that acknowledges God’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. He will put his trust in the Living God and rejoice with the people of God with a true heart. And we praise God because that is exactly what happened to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law.

       Our God is greater than all gods and He has the power to destroy all other gods. In Exodus 12:12, it is written, For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (KJV)                 

-Our God is worthy to be praised

 I Peter 1:8

       Jethro rejoiced exceedingly and his faith in the Living God was manifested in an inspiring way. In Exodus 18:12, And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. (KJV) Praise God for that wonderful rejoicing. It moves our heart not to neglect such strength-giving rejoicing in the Lord. 

       In Egypt, Pharaoh did a very tricky dealing with the people of God by trying to hinder the Hebrews to serve the Living God. Pharaoh told the people of God not to go far from his dark domain. He hindered married couples and their children to serve God. He told them also not to take their flocks with them in their feast for the Lord lest they offer them to the Living God. Despite of those hindrances, God took Israel from the bondage of Egypt with His overwhelming and praiseworthy deliverance. 

       Today, we are free and enjoying our religious freedom. As we rejoice together in the Lord, may we not forget where God found us and how the Lord Jesus Christ extended His loving-grace to us so we may put our faith in Him and enjoy God’s great salvation so rich and free. What shall we render unto the Lord for all His goodness to us? It’s time to give thanks unto Him, spread the Gospel, serve Him in sincerity and in truth and rejoice together with a perfect heart.         

       In Psalm 113:1-3, the psalmist said, 1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. (KJV) To God be the glory great things He has done!