The Joy of the Lord
Texts:
1. Isaiah 61:10 – “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
2. Nehemiah 8:10 – “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
3. John 15:11 – “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Today, we are celebrating the profound joy that comes from knowing the Lord. As we delve into
His Word, let us discover the transformative power of joy in our lives.
Characteristics of Joyful Individuals:
• Joy doesn’t complain or grumble about people or situations (Philippians 2:14)
• Joy is predictably happy every day. (Psalm 118:24)
• Joy doesn’t crumble to self-pity at the slightest bit of negative news (Romans 12:12)
• Joy talks back to difficult situations with the Word of God. (Psalm 119:111)
• Joy isn’t easily defeated but is empowered by the authority of Christ Jesus. (1Corinthians 15:57)
• Joy is optimistic, not pessimistic or “realistic”. (Proverbs 17:22)
• Joy encourages and doesn’t tear down. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• Joy is a pleasure to be around! (Proverbs 15:23)
Why the Joy of the Lord:
A. Joy chases away bitterness. (Hebrews 12:15)
B. Joy blocks access from the devil. (James 4:7)
C. Joy keeps you in hope. (Romans15:13) D. Joy keeps you in permanent victory. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
E. Joy refreshes your soul. (Psalm 23:3)
What to Do:
1. Build new habits rooted in joy. (Philippians 4:8)
2. Change your thinking to align with the joy of the Lord. (Romans 12:2)
3. Be determined to live a more joyful life, regardless of circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Prayer Points:
• Father, thwart the plans of those who seek to hinder my progress. (Psalm 33:10)
• Lord, scatter every scheme designed to disrupt my celebrations. (Psalm 55:9)
• Bring judgement upon those who trouble me, O Lord. (Psalm 7:11)
• Uphold me with your victorious hand, Lord, and let your joy be my strength. (Psalm 28:7)
Life Application: As we go forth from this place, let us carry the joy of the Lord with us in all that we do. Let our lives be a testament to the transformative power of joy, as we choose to rejoice in the Lord always, regardless of our circumstances. Amen.
