Veroni's Views

Last week I wrote about the many reasons we have to give thanks to God.  As we do that, we find that our joy increases.

Philippians 3.1 exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord.  Is that possible under adverse, even uncomfortable circumstances such as many of us are enduring right now?  Jesus thinks so.  He says that, even when we suffer persecution we should “rejoice in that day and leap for joy because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6.23)

He Himself proved that it is possible to be joyful under all circumstances.

Shortly before he was crucified, He said to his disciples:  “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11) 

Even in these foreboding circumstances Jesus had personal joy that He wanted to pass on to the disciples.

Today I want to encourage you to be joyful.  Firstly because it is the will of God for you.  Secondly because you will benefit greatly from a joyful approach to life.  Remember Nehemiah 8.10 “The joy of the Lord is your strength”?

So how is this possible?

In the first place because it comes from God.  “Joy of the Lord” means joy of which God is the source.  It is not the result of “mind over matter”, or some magical formula or confession.  It is also not just an emotional high such as we might experience listening to worship music, although that may very well help us prepare to receive joy from God. Positive experiences may also be helpful but ultimately what we need is the joy that comes from God.

It is rooted in our relationship with God.  In a delightful Psalm about his relationship with God, (Psalm 16) David writes “my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices” (verse 9).

As coming from God, joy is worked in us by the Holy Spirit.

Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5.22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The more we allow the Holy Spirit into our lives, the more joy He will bring.

What can we practically do to experience more joy?

Focus on spending more time with the Lord.  In Psalm 16.11 David says. “you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  

Some of you may ask “but how do I spend time with the Lord”?

From my own experience and that of many others, I can tell you that spending time in the Word of God is wonderfully refreshing.  The Psalmist also experienced this (Psalm 19.7-10).  He writes about the Word of God: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.”

Amidst all the bombardment with so-called wisdom of the world – most of it bad news – we need to feed on the life-giving Word of God.

Plan into your time with the Lord some time to practice true worship. Enter into the presence of God by faith, with the one object of pleasing Him.  Acknowledge Him for who He is and what he has done.   Dedicate yourself anew to Him each day and ask Him what he would want you to do. 

I am sure you will find great joy in the presence of God.  

Father, I pray for your children.  Thank you that your Word teaches us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat and what we drink, (which is legalism) but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14.17). Thank you for leading us into that joy.  Amen