Forget those somber faced Christians we see around, the Father wants us joyful all the time! Yes, Joyful! After all, in His Presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures for ever more. (Psalm 16:11)
Now joy is different from happiness. Happiness is pleasure derived from external sources, and usually momentary. Joy is long lasting, produces feelings of pleasure too, and is springs from inward contentment, not external forces. This is why we can rejoice and have a spring in our steps in the most unlikely situations.
The joy of the Lord is our strength. The arrival of the Son of God on earth was heralded with ‘joy to the world’. There are several references in the Bible to our joy being full. This is what God wants for us.
Now, He knows that life is tough and bad things happen and we struggle. So what should be our attitude in these times? Philippians 4:6-7 tells us; do not be worried about anything. Let your requests be made known to the Lord. Tell the Lord about it. Isn’t it interesting that thanksgiving is listed in this scripture as one of the ways we can ‘make our requests known to God?’ . There’s prayer and supplication, and there’s also thanksgiving! So we ask, and petition and give thanks even before receiving!
Paul wrote from prison, Rejoice in the Lord always, and i say again, rejoice! John the Beloved wrote from exile: these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1John1:4). Jesus intended for His joy to remain in us and for our joy to be full (John15:11).
Are you depressed and heavy laden? Are you gloomy and weary? Don’t let life get to you! Arise, dear woman of God. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Ask the Lord that your joy may be full today and always.
Shalom.