​THE JOY OF THE LORD

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”(Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB)

We are living in unsettling times. Everything around us seems to be falling apart, crumbling right before our eyes. Reading or watching the news gives us a feeling of despair, defeat, or even death…. inflation; drugs and human trafficking entering our country through illegal border crossings; rampant crime; the Corona virus; empty store shelves; shortage of workers in factories, hospitals, stores, restaurants …. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

If we were to focus on these things we couldn’t survive – mentally, emotionally, and perhaps even physically. Therefore, our focus needs to be spiritual if we are to survive. What better place to focus than on the Word of God? There is an endless amount of scriptures that tell us about the goodness of God and the joy we can find in Him. As you read the scriptures below, may you be encouraged. May your spirit be filled with joy. May you welcome the presence of the Lord into your life. Be presenttoday and every day.

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”(Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)

“But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad, Let them ever sing for joy.”(Ps 5:11 NASB)

“In Thy presence is fulness of joy.”(Ps 16:11 NASB)

“Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Ps 30:5b NASB)

“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy.” (Ps 43:4 NASB)

“But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.” (Ps 68:3 NASB)

“Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee.”(Ps 70:4 NASB)

“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.”(Prov 12:20NASB)

“The execution of justice is joy for the righteous but is terror to the workers of iniquity.”(Prov 21:15 NASB)

“His lord said unto him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”(Matt 25:21 KJV)

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11 NASB)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy.” (John 15:20 NASB)

Another way to experience joy is to pray. Praying for others is such a privilege. Praying with others stirs up a joy within me that I can’t explain. I just know that when I have been with a group of fellow believers, interceding for the Church, our country, friends, family, and many people that we don’t even personally know, I come away feeling refreshed and renewed. That’s the way God works. We give out of ourselves to and for others. He gives of Himself back to us – twice blessed. Such joy to be a part of God’s process on earth! I encourage you to pray for others, by yourself or with others. The time you spend with God will encourage you in times of sorrow, hopelessness, loneliness, in the monotony of some days and in the overly busyness of other days. The Holy Spirit is always with us. We are His temple. (1Cor 6:19) He will lead you and guide you in prayer. Get quiet with Him before the Father and Jesus, pray, and be filled with the joy of the Lord!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13 NASB)

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen”(Jude 24-25 NASB)​

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JOY IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL  ADDENDUM

​As we watch, listen to, and read about the war that’s going on in Ukraine, we might be thinking, “How can the people of Ukraine be joyful in what they are experiencing?” Not many people at this particular point in time have experienced first-hand the attacks like the ones the Ukrainian people are enduring right now. Many have lost their homes, their businesses, their families. Hundreds of thousands are fleeing the country. We know it can’t possibly be a joyful time for them. And yet …

The Scriptures in “The Joy of the Lord” apply to the Ukrainian people, also. In the midst of all that is going on around them they, too, can find strength in God’s Word.

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)

“But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad, Let them ever sing for joy.” (Ps 5:11 NASB)

“In Thy presence is fulness of joy.” (Ps 16:11 NASB)

“Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Ps 30:5b NASB)

There is hope for them, and for all people around the world, if they/we focus on the Source of all hope, “…Christ Jesus our hope.” (1Tim 1:1 NIV)

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NASB)

Remember, also, in “The Joy of the Lord,” we mentioned that there is joy in prayer. It’s our job as believers in our Father God, Yahweh, Creator of all that is, and in His Son Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach), to pray for the people of Ukraine. Our prayers rise up with the incense before the throne of God (Rev 8:3-4) We must pray for their protection, their comfort and peace, and for their salvation. There is a Christian population in the Ukraine. We must pray for them, as well as for the Jewish population there, to be especially protected from being singled out and persecuted for their religious beliefs. Our prayers should also extend to the Christians and Jews in Russia. They, too, face persecution.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)