JOY IN THE LORD
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no
grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the
fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the
fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the
LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18
For many of us, joy is a difficult emotion to come by. Circumstances
and situations leave us reeling. The enemy bombards us with lies.
We climb on our pity wagons and ride them around until the ruts
become so deep we despair of ever finding a way out. Our faces are
fallen and our countenance is downcast.
Even in these most difficult times, we can still shine with joy in
the Lord. We can rejoice that He has been with us every step of the
way. We can praise Him for the mountains behind us and for the
strength to climb the one ahead. We can be joyful that He has drawn
us near to Him and let us feel His presence when we needed it the
most.
We must let this joy shine through us in everything we do. How can
we ever expect to draw anyone to us if we do not let our light
shine? How can we expect to radiate love and forgiveness when we
are drawn with worry and fear? How can we hope to be a beacon to
our loved ones if we cover our light with self-pity?
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be
hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that
those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your
body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of
light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.
See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it
dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp
shines on you." Luke 11:33-36
God has commanded us to have joy in the Lord, always. Not just when
things are good and circumstances are in our favor - but always.
This means that even if there are no grapes on the vine, we are to
rejoice. Even if our barns are empty and our fields lie barren, we
are to rejoice. In the best of circumstances and in the worst of
circumstances, we are to rejoice.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4
Having joy in the midst of our trials is a conscious decision we
have to make. When we awake in the morning, we can choose to dwell
on ourselves and our circumstances, or we can choose to dwell on the
goodness of our God. We can choose to wallow in self-pity, or we
can choose to praise God for His blessings. We can choose to
celebrate the good things in our life or we can choose to let the
circumstances of our trials beat us into the ground. Sometimes this
decision has to be made hourly.
Are you struggling with unanswered prayer? Are you crying out to
God "Why?" Are you letting your circumstances dictate your joy?
Have you been riding that pity wagon far too long?
Yes, there are days when it is difficult to rejoice. We can talk
about God's promises, read about having joy in the Lord, and know in
our heads that we are to "count it all joy." But as the writer of
Psalm 88 expresses for us, sometimes this is hard to do. But even
in the midst of his desperation and woefulness, the psalmist holds
tights to God's promises. And this is what we need to do also -
hold tight to the promises of His Word and know that true joy comes
from our relationship with God.
In Philippians, Paul talks at length about having joy in the Lord.
He talks about having real joy, not just happiness. Happiness often
depends on circumstances. But true joy depends on God. Paul found
this true joy in ALL circumstances - good as well as bad. He had
learned what we must learn - to be content in all circumstances, to
count it all joy.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to
be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with
joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Psalm 16:11
One of the enemy's favorite tricks is to steal our joy. If we have
no joy, then we cannot be useful to God's kingdom. If we hide our
light, then no one can be drawn to it. If we allow circumstances to
dictate our joy, then those around us will not see the glory and
power of our God. The enemy delights in our darkness and works very
hard to snuff out the light of the One who shines within us. Do not
hide your lamp under a bowl. Let it shine brightly that all may see
your joy in the presence of the Lord.
It is time to get off the pity wagon - we have ridden it long
enough. It is time for us to shine with the light of God's love.
It is time for us to throw off the death shroud of circumstances and
rejoice that we belong to a God who loves us so much that He gave
His only son that we may have eternal life. This is true joy!
"Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you
from the hand of all your enemies." 2 Kings 17:39
Don't let your present situation deprive you of the joy of knowing
Christ. Our trials are temporary and worrying about them doesn't
change anything. Despite the darkness that surrounds you, bask in
the light of His love. Give today's burden to God and let Him deal
with it. Then rejoice in His promises; rejoice in His faithfulness;
rejoice that you have been redeemed. Let this joy resound for all
to see and hear. Do not be silent.
"And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because
God had given them great joy. The women and children also
rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far
away." Nehemiah 12:43
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with
shouts of joy." Job 8:21
God bless
grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the
fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the
fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the
LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18
For many of us, joy is a difficult emotion to come by. Circumstances
and situations leave us reeling. The enemy bombards us with lies.
We climb on our pity wagons and ride them around until the ruts
become so deep we despair of ever finding a way out. Our faces are
fallen and our countenance is downcast.
Even in these most difficult times, we can still shine with joy in
the Lord. We can rejoice that He has been with us every step of the
way. We can praise Him for the mountains behind us and for the
strength to climb the one ahead. We can be joyful that He has drawn
us near to Him and let us feel His presence when we needed it the
most.
We must let this joy shine through us in everything we do. How can
we ever expect to draw anyone to us if we do not let our light
shine? How can we expect to radiate love and forgiveness when we
are drawn with worry and fear? How can we hope to be a beacon to
our loved ones if we cover our light with self-pity?
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be
hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that
those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your
body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of
light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.
See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it
dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp
shines on you." Luke 11:33-36
God has commanded us to have joy in the Lord, always. Not just when
things are good and circumstances are in our favor - but always.
This means that even if there are no grapes on the vine, we are to
rejoice. Even if our barns are empty and our fields lie barren, we
are to rejoice. In the best of circumstances and in the worst of
circumstances, we are to rejoice.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4
Having joy in the midst of our trials is a conscious decision we
have to make. When we awake in the morning, we can choose to dwell
on ourselves and our circumstances, or we can choose to dwell on the
goodness of our God. We can choose to wallow in self-pity, or we
can choose to praise God for His blessings. We can choose to
celebrate the good things in our life or we can choose to let the
circumstances of our trials beat us into the ground. Sometimes this
decision has to be made hourly.
Are you struggling with unanswered prayer? Are you crying out to
God "Why?" Are you letting your circumstances dictate your joy?
Have you been riding that pity wagon far too long?
Yes, there are days when it is difficult to rejoice. We can talk
about God's promises, read about having joy in the Lord, and know in
our heads that we are to "count it all joy." But as the writer of
Psalm 88 expresses for us, sometimes this is hard to do. But even
in the midst of his desperation and woefulness, the psalmist holds
tights to God's promises. And this is what we need to do also -
hold tight to the promises of His Word and know that true joy comes
from our relationship with God.
In Philippians, Paul talks at length about having joy in the Lord.
He talks about having real joy, not just happiness. Happiness often
depends on circumstances. But true joy depends on God. Paul found
this true joy in ALL circumstances - good as well as bad. He had
learned what we must learn - to be content in all circumstances, to
count it all joy.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to
be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with
joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Psalm 16:11
One of the enemy's favorite tricks is to steal our joy. If we have
no joy, then we cannot be useful to God's kingdom. If we hide our
light, then no one can be drawn to it. If we allow circumstances to
dictate our joy, then those around us will not see the glory and
power of our God. The enemy delights in our darkness and works very
hard to snuff out the light of the One who shines within us. Do not
hide your lamp under a bowl. Let it shine brightly that all may see
your joy in the presence of the Lord.
It is time to get off the pity wagon - we have ridden it long
enough. It is time for us to shine with the light of God's love.
It is time for us to throw off the death shroud of circumstances and
rejoice that we belong to a God who loves us so much that He gave
His only son that we may have eternal life. This is true joy!
"Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you
from the hand of all your enemies." 2 Kings 17:39
Don't let your present situation deprive you of the joy of knowing
Christ. Our trials are temporary and worrying about them doesn't
change anything. Despite the darkness that surrounds you, bask in
the light of His love. Give today's burden to God and let Him deal
with it. Then rejoice in His promises; rejoice in His faithfulness;
rejoice that you have been redeemed. Let this joy resound for all
to see and hear. Do not be silent.
"And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because
God had given them great joy. The women and children also
rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far
away." Nehemiah 12:43
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with
shouts of joy." Job 8:21
God bless
posted by TIUranta at 12:20 PM
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