Sweet Sisters,
This morning I’ve been thinking about joy. What is “joy”? The Bible talks a lot about joy and rejoicing. It can be expressed in many ways. Psalm talks about “shouting for joy” and “singing for joy”. Ecclesiastes talks about having “a joyful heart”.
Joy is not dependent on our emotions or our circumstances. I believe that joy comes from the firm belief in knowing who I am.
I mentioned before that Paul and I have been studying the armor of God in Ephesians 6. We have been trying to identify each piece as simply as possible. The Helmet of Salvation seems to be the most crucial of all the pieces of armor because without it none of the other pieces are effective. The Helmet of Salvation tells me who I am. I am saved by God and loved by Him. I am His and He is mine. When I truly believe this nothing the “enemy” throws at me can harm me.
I want to share a few of my favorite scriptures concerning joy. I hope to tie them together in a way that makes sense.
Zephaniah 3:17 (The Living Bible) For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will love you and not accuse you. “Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you with song.
Romans 15:15 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.
Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, ” Go and enjoy choice bread and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Joy is rooted in God. Joy comes from knowing that the God of heaven and earth who has always been and always will be, came to earth, lived and died, and was resurrected because He wants a relationship with me. When I acknowledge this and put my trust in Him, it brings Him great joy. He then gives me the strength to reach out to Him for all the blessings He has to offer me with a thankful heart.
Because I feel connected to God and loved by Him, I can have the confidence and boldness to approach Him to find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16.
Life is hard. Life can bring sudden unexpected events that change our lives forever. The journey of life is full of twists and turns. Joy is the special gift we have from God that gives us the strength to continue. The knowledge that I am His and He is mine trumps anything Life throws our way.
Sweet Sisters, The joy of the Lord is our strength. Debbie ❤