SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1334

“The Joy of the Lord”

The joy of the Lord is your strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10

Have you ever thought, ‘If I only had        then I would be happy?’ Perhaps you filled in the blank with ‘a new car’ or ‘more money’ or ‘a job promotion’. All these things and more can make us happy for a little while, and then we are looking for the next big thing to make us happier. Chasing happiness is a vicious circle.

Happy and happenstance share the same root word ‘hap’ which means ‘chance’. Happiness is fleeting and a sudden change in circumstances can take it away. Happiness derived from the things of this world do not bring joy. Jesus experienced sorrow and grief, yet He remained steadfastly joyful.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; – Isaiah 53:3

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11

Joy Comes From Relationship not Religion.

The joy of the Lord is not a fleeting feeling of happiness or emotion. It is a deep, abiding strength that stems from a personal relationship with God. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances. It is anchored firmly in the solid rock character of God and fueled by the Holy Spirit with faith, hope and trust in His steadfast love.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him; I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Psalm 28:7; Philippians 4:13

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. – Psalm 16:8-9

Joy is Visible and Active

The joy of the Lord is evident in our actions. Our attitude and perspective toward our present circumstances are transformed by the joy of the Lord. His joy empowers our actions with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them – Acts 16:25

Joy Strengthens Us In Difficult Times

Happiness is like a shallow pool of water that dries up in the heat of the day. Whereas joy is like a deep artesian well of cool water that will sustain, strengthen, and refresh us in times of drought. Jesus was able to endure the cross because the joy of the Father strengthened Him.

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope – Romans 5:3-4

Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of joy that not only strengthens us but also flows through us to strengthen others.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full; And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit – John 16:24; Acts 13:52

May the Holy Spirit baptize you with a fresh infilling of His power and presence.

May He sustain and strengthen you with the joy of the Lord in all your circumstances.

May the fruit of the Spirit nourish you and flow through you in the nourishment of others to the glory of God.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24