“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
One of the great benefits of being a Christian is joy. Joy is much better than happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances – good circumstances make you happy… and bad circumstances make you unhappy. Joy is not based on circumstances; it is based on a personal relationship with Jesus. It comes when you are right with God.
Joyful people are so fun to be around. They are always rejoicing because God is their King, Jesus is their Savior, and “nothing is impossible to him who believes.” Joyless, sour people are no fun to be around. The Nothing is ever right for a joyless, sour person. They find difficulty in every opportunity. They may be saved… but it is hard to tell by the way they act… and talk… and complain. How sad that God’s children would live like this.
Joy is in the Lord Jesus Christ. To live a life of joy is to live a life surrendered to Him. If you are sour and joyless, it is because you are focusing on the wrong things, and you are not letting Jesus fill and control your heart and life. Someone has well said, “Joy is the flag that is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence.”
Is the King residing over you today? Is He really sitting in the driver’s seat of your life? It is easy to tell… just check for joy.
My friend, joy is your birthright as a child of God. Joy is a key component of a powerful witness for Christ. We represent the King of Joy to a lost and dying world… so let Him shine through you. You will be amazed at the difference!
PRAYER:
Lord, I want my life to be filled with You and the joy You bring. I choose today to take my eyes off my problems and lift them up to you. Regardless of what may be going on, this is the day that you have made… and You want me to rejoice and be glad in it. You still love me and have a wonderful plan for my life. You can do anything and desire to show Yourself mighty and strong in me. I look to You, surrender anew and afresh to You, and make the choice, this day, to rejoice in You! AMEN!
“The kingdom of God is not about what a person eats and drinks. But it is about living in a way which is right with God. It is peace. It is JOY because a person has the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17