Joy - Part 4
For the entire month of January I have been studying what the Bible says about joy. Some of it has come as a surprise to me, and my own cup has overflowed on many occasions. Joy is a powerful gift from God that washes over both ourselves and anyone we come into contact with. What a true joy joy is!
But there are days that we sure don't feel joyful, and begin to wonder where the joy has gone. How do you claim the joy of the Lord for yourself? It's already inside you, at least it is if you're a saved woman. God placed it there at the moment of salvation as His gift to you. So if it's already there, firmly planted in our heart, we'll never be able to lose it. We simply neglect it and allow the day's circumstances to overshadow it.
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Psalm 43:4
The very first step in reclaiming the joy of the Lord is to return to Him. He is the source of joy and the keeper of everything that makes that joy bubble over in our soul, so rebuilding that connection with Him is imperative. Find your altar, whether it's the altar at church, your prayer closet, a sofa in a room by yourself, or wherever else you can kneel in prayer, and rekindle that flame of joy you once had. Spending time with God in prayer is the most important time of the day, so ask Him to breathe on your soul for a while and fan the fire of His joy in your heart. Only in His presence will we find what we're looking for.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:12
And God is the only one who can reveal the joy in the center of our being. It is His, a precious gift for His children, and through a devoted relationship with Him He delights in showering us with joy. The joy of God's salvation isn't something that will fade over time or change with the seasons if we determine in our hearts to keep it fresh and alive. Our salvation never changes, and neither does our joy. It's all about our perspective on the situation.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
We are so determined to do things for ourselves instead of relying totally on the Lord to work through us. There is nothing we can physically or emotionally do to find joy ourselves. Happiness in this sinful world and the joy of the Lord are two completely separate things. The only way to be continually and eternally joyful, not just momentarily happy, is to rejoice in the things of God and look to Him for reasons to rejoice. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and so is the joy He has planted in our hearts.
These things have I spoken unto you, that me joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11
But there are days that we sure don't feel joyful, and begin to wonder where the joy has gone. How do you claim the joy of the Lord for yourself? It's already inside you, at least it is if you're a saved woman. God placed it there at the moment of salvation as His gift to you. So if it's already there, firmly planted in our heart, we'll never be able to lose it. We simply neglect it and allow the day's circumstances to overshadow it.
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Psalm 43:4
The very first step in reclaiming the joy of the Lord is to return to Him. He is the source of joy and the keeper of everything that makes that joy bubble over in our soul, so rebuilding that connection with Him is imperative. Find your altar, whether it's the altar at church, your prayer closet, a sofa in a room by yourself, or wherever else you can kneel in prayer, and rekindle that flame of joy you once had. Spending time with God in prayer is the most important time of the day, so ask Him to breathe on your soul for a while and fan the fire of His joy in your heart. Only in His presence will we find what we're looking for.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:12
And God is the only one who can reveal the joy in the center of our being. It is His, a precious gift for His children, and through a devoted relationship with Him He delights in showering us with joy. The joy of God's salvation isn't something that will fade over time or change with the seasons if we determine in our hearts to keep it fresh and alive. Our salvation never changes, and neither does our joy. It's all about our perspective on the situation.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
We are so determined to do things for ourselves instead of relying totally on the Lord to work through us. There is nothing we can physically or emotionally do to find joy ourselves. Happiness in this sinful world and the joy of the Lord are two completely separate things. The only way to be continually and eternally joyful, not just momentarily happy, is to rejoice in the things of God and look to Him for reasons to rejoice. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and so is the joy He has planted in our hearts.
These things have I spoken unto you, that me joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11
Joy seems in shorter supply in wintertime, for some reason! And I am missing my darling so much when he is gone throughout the week, I sometimes allow myself to become discouraged. Thanks for this very encouraging post, Laura! The truth is surely the greatest joy of all ... Jesus, the way, the truth, the life.
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