Sunday was another great day of worship as we finished the Nativity series of messages. It was also our last Sunday in 2021. The next time we will worship together will be 2022!
Although, personally and collectively, we experienced many ups and downs in 2021, I think for most, overall 2021 was a disappointment. We entered this year optimistic that COVID was on the decline and that our lives would soon return to “normal.” Then, the Delta variant hit. As Delta peaked and began its decline this fall, we have now been introduced to the Omicron variant.
As we have seen, happiness, excitement, and optimism can ebb and flow with our circumstances. But, joy is a blessing that comes from a relationship and not circumstances. The word joy appears over and over again in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, we read that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22), which means that it is a Christian virtue. Given this biblical emphasis, we need to understand what joy is and pursue it.
The Psalms are filled with references to joy. The psalmist wrote, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5b). I am excited that the 2022 January Bible Study is, Psalms – The Character of God. As has been my custom, I will preach a series of messages on Sunday mornings based upon the JBS. Next Sunday, January 2nd, we will begin with how the Psalms reveal the God reveals His character through His Son. I hope you will make plans to join us!
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God! (Ps. 19:1)
Dan
