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  REJOICE IN THE WORD
  by Warren Wiersbe
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Summary: Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of believing in and
rejoicing in God's Word to experience true Christian joy.

Topics: "Biblical Joy", "Faith Formation"
Scripture References: Psalm 112:1

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DESCRIPTION
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Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the secret of Christian joy as believing and
acting upon God's Word, highlighting that faith not rooted in the Word
is mere presumption or superstition, and joy not stemming from faith is
fleeting. He encourages rejoicing in the Word like finding hidden
treasures, stressing the importance of delighting in and diligently
studying God's Word to uncover its riches. Wiersbe challenges believers
to assess if they truly value God's Word above all else, comparing it to
food, sleep, or wealth, and prompts them to love and meditate on the
Word consistently for guidance and illumination.

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CONTENT
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The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and
act upon it. Faith that isn't based on the Word is not faith at all; it
is presumption or superstition. Joy that isn't the result of faith is
not joy at all; it is only a "good feeling" that will soon disappear.
Faith based on the Word will produce joy that will weather the storms of
life.

It isn't enough for us to read the Word or receive the Word as others
expound it; we must also rejoice in the Word. "I rejoice at Your word as
one who finds great treasure" (Ps. 119:162). In Bible days, people
sometimes hid their wealth in jars buried in the ground (Matt. 13:44;
Jer. 41:8). If a farmer plowing his field suddenly discovered a jar
filled with gold, he would certainly rejoice. There are great treasures
buried in God's Word, and you and I must diligently "dig" for them as we
read, meditate, and pray; and when we find these treasures, we should
rejoice and give thanks.

If we read and study the Word of God only from a sense of duty, then its
treasures may never be revealed to us. It is the believer who rejoices
in the Word, who delights to read and study it day by day, who will find
God's hidden treasures. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who
finds great delight in his commands" (Ps. 112:1, niv). "But his delight
is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night"
(Ps. 1:2).

Do you delight in God's Word? Would you rather have God's Word than food
(Ps. 119:103; Luke 10:38-42), or sleep (Ps. 119:55, 62, 147-148), or
wealth (vv. 14, 72, 137, 162)?

True of you? "Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long. .
. . Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm
119:97, 105, niv).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/warren-wiersbe/rejoice-in-the-word/
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