Journey to Joy

Read: Isaiah 25:7-8

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5

I am on a journey to joy. It is a journey for me, because on some days my melancholy personality wars against the joy of the Spirit within me. So much in life is so disheartening and grievous. I feel such profound sorrow deep within my soul when I see all the suffering on our planet. I also lament over sin and the harmful effects it has on the innocent and on the people that I love. Most of all, I mourn for those who refuse to believe in Jesus as their Savior, because as a result they condemn themselves for eternity (John 3:18).

Mourning is the soil in which true joy and comfort blossoms. The person who experiences sorrow is the best possible person to console others (Psalm 126:5). God promised to comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 57:18). Therefore, there is no reason that the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my spirit cannot override this natural penchant in my personality toward melancholia. The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and it flows out of my spirit, infiltrates my soul and shines out through my countenance, as I put my hope in God and praise Him as my Savior and my Lord (Psalm 43:5). 

A lack of joy in the life of the Christian may also be the result of unconfessed sin. David prayed, during a time of walking away from the Lord, that God would restore to him the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12). His unconfessed sin dimmed his joy in God’s saving work. Yet, when He confessed his sin and repented, his joy returned. Repentance does our heart good as well. It frees us of the guilt, which accompanies sin, and it restores fellowship for us with our Father.

Having a carnal, worldly focus and priorities can also rob us of joy. Whether or not we possess earthly riches, our joy is still full because of who God is in our life. I love the sentiment in Habakkuk 3:17-18, “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.” Regardless of what we have or experience in life, joy comes when we focus on God alone.

Joy follows gratitude in our hearts. As we are thankful, then we can also feel intense joy. As we praise our Father, then His joy flows through us without boundaries erected by negativity and pessimism. Joy comes when we grow to love God more than anything the world has to offer. Joy rises as I sense God's love and favor. My soul is glad in the Lord (Psalm 35:9). His comforts delight my soul (Psalm 94:19).

Even in times of sorrow we can always rejoice (2 Corinthians 6:10), because God works everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). As we keep our focus on Him rather than on the circumstances around us, God keeps us in His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). In His presence we find abundant joy. With His blessings our pleasures are eternal (Psalm 16:11). He strengthens us in spirit and body by strengthening our soul (Psalm 138:3). He also sends our friends with a timely word to cheer our hearts (Proverbs 15:23) when we need it the most.

As we give God the sacrifice of praise, He exalts us above our enemies such as negative personality traits, even when they threaten to overpower us, (Psalm 116:17). He sheds His light and joy on us, and we rejoice in Him (Psalm 97:11-12). This leads to genuine praise and we actually shout for joy and make music to the Lord (Psalm 27:6). Our happy heart makes our face shine and heartache no longer crushes our spirit (Proverbs 15:13).

A cheerful heart is good medicine and it keeps depression from crushing our spirit (Proverbs 17:22). We are glad and rejoice at the thought that we will one day return to that heavenly city, where God will crown our heads with everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10). We will go out with joy and He will lead us in peace. Even the mountains, the hills and the trees will burst forth in praise right along with us (Isaiah 55:12). He fills us with the joy of His presence and the promise of eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11). On this earth, we have times of grief, but when we see Him face to face, we will rejoice and no one will ever take that away from us (John 16:22).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when we look to other people, even family and close friends, to fill our soul with joy, we get disappointed time and again. However, when we look to You alone, You fill our hearts with Your love, joy and peace. Then, after we learn to turn to You as the source of all good things, You bring people into our lives that bless us as well.

Thought for the Day:

"Enter into the joy of your Lord!" - Matthew 25:21




Thank you, Mary Baker, for the use of your photo.

The Lord Will Repay You!

Read: Matthew 6:31-34

“Remember, the Lord will pay you for each good thing you do, whether you are slave or free.”-Eph 6:8 (TLB)

“I wonder if I should get a job! We could really use the income, but I do not have any more time in my day!” Have you ever had this conversation? I have, and God answered me!

He reminded me that He is the source of our income. Sure, we may work for a company, but God gave us that job. That company may fire you or reduce your salary at any moment, therefore, we cannot trust in people to supply our needs. God tells us not to worry one bit about having enough to eat or clothes for our body. He will supply our needs.

If we concern ourselves with earthly matters like having a bigger, newer home or a fancier car or the newest electronic gadget, we are no better than carnal people, who take pride in their possessions (Psalm 49:16-17, Proverbs 23:4-5). God knows exactly what we need and is very capable of supplying them for us as we put His Kingdom’s work on the top of our priority list.

Are you stuck in a dead-end job? Is monotony stripping your soul of its joy? Do you feel like your work is but a tiny drop in the giant scheme of life? If we follow the will of God for each of the moments of our day, we can be assured that He has a purpose for us in it all. Although we may not see the difference we are making now, in eternity we will reap the rewards, as long as we do not get discouraged and give up now (Matthew 6:19-21).

Many people work for a boss and do as little as possible after they clock into the job. However, God exhorts us not to work hard only when the boss is watching and then goof off the rest of the time. God wants us to cheerfully work hard all the time, because He is our real employer. The Bible promises, “A workman is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). If we are faithful to labor as unto the Lord, we can trust that He will provide for all our needs.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to trust You to supply all my needs. Remind me that You know where or even if I should work. Help me to do my best at whatever You give me to do.

Thought for the Day:

Do not be anxious, God will take care of all of your tomorrows too.