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
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook .."Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for... Read More
Some of us might hear from time to time that... Read More
Can you imagine being sent out into the wilderness for... Read More
When I first heard Donnie McClurkin's song, "We Fall Down... Read More
Let us face reality squarely in the face by acknowledging... Read More
Oxford dictionary defines PRAYER as "a request for help or... Read More
In this series I would like to take you through... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
Aristotle referred to happiness as the most we can achieve.... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
The myths of man have been with us throughout time.... Read More
When do you pray?Prayer is the cornerstone of the Christian... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;I... Read More
There is a specific technique that a Shaman uses to... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
David understood the aguish only those who have chosen to... Read More
Charity isn't the easiest virtue to master. And with St.... Read More
It is so obvious that God works and thinks on... Read More
The concept of integrity has arisen often in discussions of... Read More
In your quest for enlightenment, always ask what's in it... Read More
An act of selflessness is the highest expression of selfishness... Read More
It's real easy to look at the physical world around... Read More
It is within us to... Read More
We humans are a funny, funny breed. We spend our... Read More
residential cleaning services Deerfield .."You have not handed me over to the enemy but... Read More
Do you have a servant's heart? Has God blessed you... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
One of the most frightening things... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
You know that the Bible tells us a lot about... Read More
The question, "Is God Dead?", first entered my consciousness when... Read More
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used... Read More
Did we just overlook the amount of love that God... Read More
One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken... Read More
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about... Read More
Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More
A Nathan type prophet sees with his eyes. A Samuel... Read More
I don't know of anyone who really liked taking tests... Read More
While it isn't my intention to insult anyone (Alright, for... Read More
Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More
Even Pandora and her box come in two versions. In... Read More
Be filled with the Spirit.? always giving thanks to God... Read More
Some may ask, is there any truth to have a... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
"There must be a higher love/Without it life is wasted... Read More
Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More
Spirituality |