Joy

Nehemiah 8:10b, "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Would you like some joy today? What is the source of joy? How can we get some joy? I'd like to suggest two ways.

First, we enjoy God. How do we do that? When we talk about the "how to" of living the Christian life, including enjoying God, we come back around to our familiar disciplines--reading God's Word, prayer, fellowship with fellow believers, and sharing our faith in Christ with others. One result of following these disciplines, of spending time with our Heavenly Father and His children and telling other people about Him, will be joy.

Second, we find these words in II Corinthians 4:7, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us."

We are the earthen vessels, and the treasure which we contain is God's Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce joy in us. This joy is a gift from God which He gives to those who are submissive to him. It bubbles up within us like a fountain of pure, sweet water. It is independent of our circumstances. It is this joy that is our strength at all times and in all places.

In Philippians 4:4 Paul exhorts us, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" So we rejoice in God, enjoying Him and celebrating the joy which He gives us.

Thank You, Father, for your gift of joy. May I receive it by enjoying You and rejoicing in You. Amen.