Every morning I wake up and to a sign on my wall that says “the joy of the Lord is my strength” this comes from Nehemiah 8:10b. Several years ago, one of my daughters made this sign for me. I can’t tell you how many times I pray this over my life in the morning before getting out of bed. For a couple months now the word that God keeps laying on my heart is “be. joyful”. What does it mean to be joyful in the craziness of everything going on around us everyday? What is true joy and how do we fully obtain it? Now I’m not talking about being happy in a moment, I’m talking about joy that becomes a daily, state of mind everyday! That no matter what is going on, God’s joy is fully in you. Some verses that come to mind when I think about being joyful are Philippians 4:4-8, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And John 15:9-11, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
I have found that in reading through God’s Word, that true joy, joy found in Jesus, is obtainable. But, that true joy doesn’t come without an action on our part. When you look at Nehemiah 8:10, yes, it says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” But if you read the beginning part of the verse, you will see a call to action. It says “do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.” When you read through the verses in Philippians 4 it states, rejoice in the Lord always, let your gentleness be known to all because the Lord is near. It also tells us not to be anxious, but in everything, pray and be thankful, presenting our requests to God. Then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will be given to us. True joy in Him!
Then, when you look at John 15, it tells us to abide in His love, and keep His commandments. Then His joy will be in you and your joy will be made full.
These are just a couple of examples from His Word. Some others call you to take refuge in Him and to trust Him. What I love about all these calls to action is that they are a position of complete surrender to God. It’s a releasing of all your wants and desires, thoughts and fears, and surrendering it all to Him and His will for your life. As we surrender to Him and answer His call to obedience, then His joy is in us and our joy is made full! Oh, how He loves us! So, today if you’re having a hard time being joyful, remember God calls you to action. Do not grieve, be gentle to all, do not be anxious, lay all your requests before Him, be thankful, abide in His love and keep His commandments, take refuge in Him and put your trust in Him. Then His joy, His pure joy, untainted joy will be in you and your joy will be full.
Jesus is always the answer! Seek Him first and allow Him to fill you with His joy! True joy, only found in Him!
be. joyful
“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:24
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