Today I want to write about joy. You may say, brother, you want to talk about joy in the middle of this crisis, yes. We can have joy in the middle of crisis. Joy is a gift of God, it has nothing to do with external circumstances, or material things; we receive it through relationship and obedience to the will of God.
Jesus always experienced this heavenly joy because He did the Fathers will on earth.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Looking unto Jesus is to follow His example. Let’s follow Him and experience the joy of obedience.
John 15:10-11 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy is the result from obedience to Christ’s commandments. You see His promises, if you walk in obedience to His word. His joy, heavenly joy, remains full in you and it never runs out.
Matthew 25:21-23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
The Lord shares this joy with those who are faithful and walk in fellowship with Him.
The Love of God is unconditional. Our experience of His love depends upon our obedience, the same with Joy.
The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
When we live according to God’s will, obeying His word brings joy and strength to our lives.
Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Now is not the time to hunker down for fear, persecution, unbelief or pestilence. Now is a good time to sing praises to the Lord and walk in obedience. Do it right now and you will experience the joy and the strength that comes from the Lord.
The things of this world may make you happy but it’s for a moment, then it runs out. But, the joy that comes from the Lord remains.