In every situation, you have the option of joy! Even when the adverse circumstance doesn’t offer you any hope, your joy is found in God, His covenant, and the victory He gives you in Christ Jesus.
Joy is not an emotional release that we experience when good things happen. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and we need His strength every day. Therefore, we need joy every day! This week’s episode is part 2 of the 8-part series “Joy and Peace in Believing.” To watch the other teachings in this series, click here.
Sorrow and joy cannot flow in the heart at the same time.
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
- (AMPC) And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
- (BBE) and let there be no grief in your hearts; for the joy of the Lord is your strong place.
- (GNT) The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.”
The initial reaction of the people was grief. But it was the wrong response. The proper response was joy!
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
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Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
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Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Rejoicing is the always the proper way to respond!
Since joy is based on God and His Word, which never changes, our rejoicing should never fluctuate.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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Isaiah 12:2-5 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
The declarations in this text reveal what is in the heart. They are expressions of joy that draw on the substance of your salvation.
- Praise the Lord.
- Call upon His name.
- Declare His doings.
- Make mention that His name is exalted.
- Sing unto the Lord.
There is a spiritual supply that only joy can access. In other words, joy is the only container that can dip into the supply of salvation and access this provision.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- (BBE) A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit makes the bones dry.
- (ESV) A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- (MOFFATT) A glad heart helps and heals: a broken spirit saps vitality.
Heaviness comes on people little by little. It must be resisted.
Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
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Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
