Rejoice

Yesterday I wondered how you might restate the following passage. Today I’m wondering how you might respond to it…

…welcome one another, just as the Messiah also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth,
to confirm the promises to the fathers, 
and so that Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy.

As it is written,

Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and I will sing praise to your name.

Again it says,

            Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people!

And again,

Praise Yahweh, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples praise him!

12 And again, Isaiah says,

The root of Jesse will appear,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
the Gentiles will hope in him.

(Romans 15:7-12, Christian Standard Bible)

On Sunday in our gathering at Grace Church, we’ll respond, well, in the way that seems abundantly obvious to the most casual observer — we’ll do exactly what Paul says, and Rejoice. And we’ll do that by learning a new song together.

Maybe you’d like to learn it right now…

Come and stand before your Maker
Full of wonder, full of fear
Come behold His power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near

For the one who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting love

Rejoice, come and lift your hands and
Raise your voice, He is worthy of our praise
Rejoice, sing of mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice

We are children of the promise
The beloved of the Lord
Won with everlasting kindness
Bought with sacrificial blood

Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a Father
Who will never let them go

Rejoice, come and lift your hands and
Raise your voice, He is worthy of our praise
Rejoice, sing of mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice

All our sickness, all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill
He has walked this path before us
He is walking with us still

Turning tragedy to triumph
Turning agony to praise
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazed

Rejoice, when you cry to Him He hears
Your voice, He will wipe away your tears
Rejoice, in the midst of suffering
He will help you sing

Rejoice, come and lift your hands and
Raise your voice, He is worthy of our praise
Rejoice, sing of mercies of your King
And with trembling rejoice