The Joy of The Lord
I have good news for someone today. If you have lost your joy or just misplaced it, God can restore your joy! “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)
You May ask “What does joy really mean anyway? Websters calls it “A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” The world sees and seeks joy differently than those that live for God. But regardless of whether you're living for the world right now or living for the Lord, He can reach you and, better yet, change you! It’s so exciting to think about!
There are many scriptures that talk about Joy:
“ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24) “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13) “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) I could go on and on, but you get the picture. So if everyone on earth could have this amazing thing called joy than why is it that more people do not have it? I think people are scared sometimes to get out of what they have always known and always done. Many people try to run their life the way they “think” it should be. Of course God wants to take the reigns and give us joy. To help us let go we can remind ourselves and remember that God was willing to be robed in flesh and come to the earth. He chose to die a painful, hideous death on the cross for you and me. He not only is able to change us but has proven beyond the shadow of any doubt that he loves us unconditionally and wants to change us too! “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) He promises that if we seek Him, love Him, give Him our all, in return we will have life everlasting! With the mindset and lifestyle of chasing after Jesus and leaving the world behind comes a joy that you may have never felt before.
I’m not saying there will not still be hard days or down days in your life. However, I agree with a statement I heard not long ago, “I would rather live a hard day with Jesus on my side than I would live a week of great days without him.” It’s almost indescribable how Jesus makes me feel and, let me tell you, I have a testimony that reminds me of that joy everyday! God turned my life around and gave me unspeakable joy when I came to Him. But I have to do my part in the relationship. I have to be found talking to him daily, reading his Word, attending church so I can learn more and spend time with the people of God, cleaning up my act (my speech, my thoughts, my way of doing in things).
This may seem like a hard task, but I have found that if I just love Him, the rest will come naturally. My heart is full of joy and happiness and I owe it all my God!
So if you want to find joy again, and I mean true, everlasting joy, then make up your mind today to start praying and asking God to help you and see if He doesn't stay true to His word and start to change things in your life. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24) Until next time, God Bless!