As Christians, we tend to hold a very different perspective on certain subjects than folks who do not follow Jesus. JOY is one of those subjects
God promised His children JOY, beginning with Job (Job 33:25-27). Later, Moses penned this promise:
. . .the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
Deuteronomy 16:15b RSV
But. . . as Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “Everyone, at some time or another, sits down to a banquet of consequences.” Moses also penned a promise and a warning from God. Ever notice how many of the promises are preceded with “if” ? If we/I get caught up in the chaos surrounding us, things can quickly become as bad for us as they are for unbelievers. Why?
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things,
Deuteronomy 28:47
Joy, for Christ followers, is a matter of choice!
I have wondered, over the past three years–marred by a pandemic, wars in various place and natural disasters worldwide–how can we/I remain joyful in the face of such circumstances? The answer is really quite simple. King David knew the secret.
“. . . let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
Psalm 5:11 AMP
Apostle Paul wrote of joy from a Roman prison, knowing full well the source of his choices.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22
As I’ve navigated this season of darkness in the world, the lessons found in God’s Word direct me toward joy and peace, and regardless of the circumstances I agree with the psalmist who wrote:
sing and make melody, you steadfast lovers of God.
Psalm 30:4-5 TPT
Give thanks to him every time you reflect on his holiness!
I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment,
but his loving favor lasts a lifetime!
We may weep through the night,
but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy.
In Christ, “Joy comes in the morning!”
Contentment Cottage 