Over the past few weeks, I have been impressed to share the joy of the Lord with others. We can get so bogged down with life’s struggles that we miss the joy of the Lord. Joy is found in being a child of God, not in ministry success, and certainly not in our trials.
This facet of the fruit of the Spirit, joy, is a source of great strength. Scripture links prayer with joy: “These I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.” Scripture links faith with joy. Scripture links giving with joy. Scripture links salvation with joy: “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Saints, exhibiting joy is great “advertisement” for Jesus. “In the beginning,” there was the joy over creation. How anybody can paint God in a gloomy, doomy fashion is beyond me. “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.” The joy of Jesus is powerful even in the most unfavorable circumstances.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Cultivate the joyful reality of His presence.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!”
