Rejoice, the Lord is King
Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 8
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving. As we meditate on the words of this beautiful hymn, we are reminded of your eternal kingship and the victory we have in Christ Jesus. Lord, help us to lift up our hearts and voices in praise, to rejoice in your truth and love, and to live in the hope of your glorious return. May this time of reflection draw us closer to you and strengthen our faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Rejoice, the Lord Is King
Charles Wesley
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice give thanks and sing, and triumph
evermore: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior reigns, The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains, He took his
seat above: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven;
The keys of death and hell Are to our
Jesus given: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord the judge shall come,
And take his servants up To their eternal
home: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Amen.
Key Principles from this Hymn
Jesus is our King, worthy of our adoration and praise.
We’re called to continually rejoice in the Lord, regardless of circumstances.
His kingdom cannot fail, and we have hope in his eternal reign.
Questions for Personal Reflection and Discussion
How does recognizing Jesus as King change the way you approach your daily life?
In what ways can you “lift up your heart” and “lift up your voice” in praise today?
How does the truth that Jesus has “purged our stains” impact your understanding of grace?
What does it mean to you that Jesus holds “the keys of death and hell?”
How can we cultivate a spirit of rejoicing even in difficult times?
What aspects of Christ’s kingdom give you the most hope and comfort?
How does the promise of our “eternal home” influence your priorities and decisions?
Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Psalm 47:6-7 - Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
Colossians 3:1-2 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Revelation 19:16 - On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Action Steps
Start each day this week by singing or reading aloud one verse of Rejoice, the Lord Is King as a form of worship.
Practice intentional rejoicing by keeping a daily gratitude journal, listing three things you’re thankful for in Christ’s kingdom.
Share the hope of Christ’s reign with someone who is struggling, offering encouragement from this hymn and its related Scriptures.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious Lord, we come before you with hearts overflowing with gratitude. We thank you for your sovereign rule over all creation, for the cleansing power of Christ’s sacrifice, and for the hope of eternal life in your presence. We rejoice in your unfailing love and the assurance that your kingdom cannot fail. Thank you for the keys of death and hell that Christ holds, freeing us from fear and granting us victory. We lift our hearts and voices in praise, rejoicing in the glorious hope of Christ’s return and our eternal home with you. May our lives be a continual song of thanksgiving and rejoicing. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer Prompts
Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.
Petitions – prayers for yourself
Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word.
Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me.
Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life.
This week’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned.
Other needs
Intercession – prayers for others
My family
My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries
Those struggling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs.
Other needs
Quotation from Church History
The source of all joy is the Lord Jesus Christ - a spring that can never be stopped up. (Charles Spurgeon)
I needed this today! Thank you!