Greetings in the name of God who says, ‘with joy draw water out of the well of salvation’!
This summer, East Zorra is on a ‘Joy Ride’! As we flip through the Book of Philippians, each week we look at different aspects of joy.
Joy is to be the normative emotion for the follower of Christ. ‘The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ Romans 14:17 NLT. The prophet Isaiah said; “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
It’s taken me a long time to learn, and an even longer time to realize the truth that circumstances, people, trials, work, and worldly stress do not have the inherent ability to steal my joy. It’s when I open my heart to outside elements that I allow stresses to come in like robbers and take what is rightfully mine in the Lord. It’s when I allow a fellow driver, a time crunch, a negative comment, or a troublesome problem to take precedence over the joy and hope I have in Jesus that I step outside of my allotted portion of peace.
The Lord longs to make us a people that go out in joy. He longs to make us children who are so overwhelmed by his love that the cares of this world pale in comparison to his grace and affections. Ask the Lord for perspective today. Allow the Spirit to help you focus your attention on the true purpose for which you were created: restored relationship with your heavenly Father. Choose the joy of the Lord over the stress and cares of the world. Choose to “be led forth in peace”. And experience today the lifestyle of carrying the joy of the Lord with you everywhere you go. May others come to know the abundant goodness of your heavenly Father through the way you exude joy.
May the God who turns our mourning into dancing, fill you with all joy!
Pastor Lloyd