How does Joy fit into the scheme of Christian living?
“.. on March 18 Mr. Chollet locked the garage door of his New Hampshire house, climbed into his BMW, and turned on the engine. He left behind a note that read, “Please forgive me, but the thought of going through the torture of living is just too much to bear.” “Some successful entrepreneurs have a fear that they won’t be able to reproduce or sustain earlier achievements. Gerald Kraines, a psychiatrist who treated Chollet, said, “They’re on a treadmill where they can never savor their success, because they have to keep working harder. Many Christians feel the same way. They think that they must keep working harder for the Lord and forget to spend time with Him.” ministry127
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us: “neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” They were rebuilding, and saw favor in the face of the Lord. They learned to wait on God for strength.
In Esther 8:17 Because of Esther’s great sacrifice, “the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” God had turned the favor of the king toward them! Again she learned to wait on God for strength.
Psalm 5:11 teaches, “let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
Psalm 30:5 again, “…. weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 35:27 “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause.” His cause must supercede my cause, although we walk together.
David seeks it, Psalm 51:12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Nations should rejoice, Psalm 67:4 “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.” Selah. It’s coming, hallelujah!
Friends, when righteousness gains governance, rejoicing starts, since unrighteousness vexes the soul of a righteous man.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.” Proverbs 12:20
There is “the oil of joy for mourning,” and “everlasting joy shall be unto them.” The Word found is “Joy and rejoicing.” Jeremiah 15:16
CS Lewis proclaimed, ” Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Spurgeon: ““There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart.”
Some jokes:
“The attorney tells the accused, “I have some good news and some bad news.” “What’s the bad news?” asks the accused. “The bad news is, your blood is all over the crime scene, and the DNA tests prove you did it.” “What’s the good news?” “Your cholesterol is 130.”
“A lawyer e-mailed a client: “Dear Jennifer: Thought I saw you on the street the other day. Crossed over to say hello, but it wasn’t you, so I went back — One tenth of an hour: $30.”
ha ha, back to the Word
They rejoiced at Christ’ birth, ” When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:10 Again at His resurrection, ” And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” Luke 24:52
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10 The Lord joys at our conversion..
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” Jude 1:24 and He keeps us from falling.
lastly, our day of rejoicing comes soon:
Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
Friends, the first feast of the precious Church is soon to come. We are the bride. Love ya
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