THE JOY OF THE LORD.
THE JOY OF THE LORD.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO US ALL!
As however cliché as this may sound, 2019 is a fresh start and a new beginning. A new beginning does not have to include incorporating a drastic change into our lives that we may have a more likelihood of failing at. It may just be a little change towards developing and improving how we were the previous year. So I am here today to tell you something that we can incorporate into our lives this new year that will cause us to see changes all around us.
It is “The Joy of the Lord”; and it is something that will make 2019 a glorious year for us if we make it a part of our lives. “for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10(b) NIV
The Joy of the Lord is different from happiness. Happiness is a great feeling, but it is often characterised by momentariness, being fleeting and many times short-lived. Joy however is constant and everlasting. One can liken happiness to a house built on shifting sand, it will stand for a while but one day, when the winds blow and the storm comes it may fall. Now joy can be likened to a house built on a rock, the winds will blow and the storm will come, but this house will not be moved because it is on “rock”solid ground, that rock is the Lord.
Yes, the Joy of the Lord should be our strength; however there are times when we get weak. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. There will be times when all will look bleak but we are assured these times will “come to pass”; no matter how tough they are. A difficulty we may have is actually living in the reality of the Joy of the Lord. Sometimes it is as if life is crumbling, everything is falling apart, how can one possibly be joyful at moments like these? Reflecting back on the past year, something that really kept me going was the Joy of the Lord. In the good times and the difficult times, I did not let go of this joy. The following verses are reasons why;
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms 30:5(b) RSV
“Count it all Joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3 RSV
“So you may have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22 RSV
Living in the Joy of the Lord does not mean we will never be down or heavy-laden. Even the bible says in Psalms 30 v 5(b) that “Weeping may endure for a night but his joy, OH HIS JOY, will surely come in the morning.
Let us learn to appreciate the little things, find and see joy in everything. From how the trees move, to how the birds sing, even creation praises His name and bows before him.
As we go on with the rest of 2019, speak into your days saying,
“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118: 24
Ifeoluwa Jaiyesimi. ©
The Revolutionary Righter. ©