The word means different things to different people. Is it simply an emotion or feeling? Do we only feel joy when life seems to be going good, when our circumstances are favorable? Or is there something more? I'd like to explore what the Word of God says about this topic.
Psalm 16:11 says "Thou will show me the path of life, in Thy presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalm 43:4 says "Then will I go to the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy...."
Nehemiah 8:10 says ...."the joy of the Lord is my strength".
What these scriptures say is that God Himself is the source of our joy. And that joy gives us strength. Have you ever noticed when you're feeling blue, that you tend to feel weak and tired too?
Here are some promises God offers us concerning joy:
Psalm 30:5...."weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
Isaiah 35:10 "And the ransomed of the Lord (His children) shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Isaiah 61:3 says "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified."
Joy is also one of the fruits of the Spirit. He WANTS to give us joy! Sometimes we think of God as
heavy handed wanting to give us a hard time anytime we mess up, but that's not His heart at all, He wants to give us joy. But will we receive Him in order to receive the joy He offers us?
Isaiah 12:3 says "therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Psalm 51:12: "Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit."
In salvation (the term used when we ask Jesus to be our God, our savior) there is joy. I found this true as well. As soon as I prayed and gave my life to Him, I felt real joy for the first time in my life. It was like coming home. It is beyond description!
Hebrews 12:2 says "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
This one blows my mind! Jesus had joy in the midst of
facing being crucified, one of the most painful deaths one could endure. His crucifixion was right ahead, he knew it, and he was joyful! Why? Because He saw beyond the cross, what it would accomplish. It would accomplish the right for ANY person to be His child and go to heaven if they want. He did it for us because He loved us so much and wants to give us so much, if only we will receive Him.
Here's some other really awesome thoughts of how God views us:
Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord thy God, in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
God sings joyfully over us?! That's what He says. Have you ever thought that we could make Him happy? All He wants is our Love, because He loved us first.
In closing one more view of God, Luke 15:4-7 says, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lost one of them, would not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. I (Jesus) say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over the 99 which need no repentance."
Jesus cares so much He seeks out to find the ones who are lost, and it gives Him great joy when He finds that one. Even all of heaven throws a party! If you don't know this loving, kind and joyful Jesus of Nazareth, I'd encourage you to simply ask Him into your heart. Receive everything He so wants to give you. Eternal life, joy, and the peace of knowing you're right with God. Just a simple prayer to Him anywhere of what's on your heart will do, and watch the joy flood your soul! And know also that you've given Him great joy too.
About The Author
Valerie Garner - Get a series of no cost traffic builders that work to get traffic to your website, plus a few ideas for earning income too. Many unique resources you'll love! Mailto:moredetails@quicktell.com
trusted cleaning company Bannockburn ..Did you ever get a feeling or gain notion of... Read More
It is within us to... Read More
The expression "Spiritual Enlightenment" has been used often in reference... Read More
Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, "Go, assemble... Read More
(Channeled)Roy-when does the end of physical life come? Is it... Read More
"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More
Behold, a certain young maiden did often times and at... Read More
In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More
The term spirituality is a confusing term. Usually, when one... Read More
Military personnel at a U.S. prison in Guantanamo, Bay, Cuba... Read More
An interesting question that frequently comes up is "Which Gods... Read More
The greatest frustration in a Christian's life is not being... Read More
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ... Read More
Can God really heal your pain? Does every trial come... Read More
African-American people are natural caretakers. We do a great job... Read More
The words 'new age' and 'spirituality' can have people running... Read More
One cannot make a decision in the moment of now.... Read More
"Mama, save me!"My six year old son jumped into my... Read More
Most Tarot decks consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana,... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
When the storms in your life are raging, just believe,... Read More
Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad... Read More
One of the most touching stories in New Testament scripture... Read More
I finally went to the dentist today. I had been... Read More
luxury cleaning services Lake Forest ..We, a group of ordinary people who believe in Jesus... Read More
Eden, the garden of ecstasy is no longer available to... Read More
For the past several years I have struggled with getting... Read More
Often, in being dishonest about our own faults and failures,... Read More
If you would like to learn to read tarot cards,... Read More
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
"I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the... Read More
The great gate is open, but travelers seek everywhere??? -... Read More
Do you want victory in your life? Do you have... Read More
As communion was being passed this morning, I listened to... Read More
You are a dual being. Part eternal spirit and part... Read More
Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More
Many consider anger a normal human emotion and continue to... Read More
The Orisha are the Messengers of Oludumare, the God/dess of... Read More
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
If you were Satan and your goal is to destroy... Read More
Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More
The ultimate purpose of dreaming is to provide you with... Read More
I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
A lot of times when I am reading people on... Read More
Spirituality |