Bible Reading: Judges 15-17; Luke 10:1-24.
Memory Verse: “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Luke 10:21 (KJV)
Rejoicing is not only good for the health of every human being, it is more rewarding spiritually. It strengthens you as stated in Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV), “… the joy of the Lord is your strength”. It heals like medicine. Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” It also makes you to seek the Lord more because true joy can only be found in the Lord. If you abandon the Lord, you will lose your joy. Also, true joy is contagious. When people see you rejoicing all the time, you will attract them especially in this present times where there are so many pressures or storms from different angles. And some of them will want to serve your God in order to have your type of Joy. So, it is a form of evangelism!
But Joy is not common even among Christians! Why is this so? Well, it is not something that can be bought or received without any effort. It is obtainable only by the presence of God. So you must be in the presence of God always to remain joyous all the time. Psalm 16:11 (KJV) affirms this when it says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” While in God’s presence, the Holy Spirit will fill you with joy. Romans 14:17 (KJV) says, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” And when you are filled with Joy, you need to nurture it so that you can remain filled with it. Such nurturing requires studying the word of God, praising God and praying to Him always. This further entails seeking to know God more and continuously exercising faith in God.
As you do this, you will develop your faith and increasingly live a life of total obedience to the word of God. This is not available to lazy and indolent people as the Joy of the Lord is a product of diligence in any work that you do including your service to God. Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV) says, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” So you must be diligent to experience joy as idleness lead to hunger and its consequences ( Proverbs 19:14).
If you are currently living a life devoid of Joy, you need to repent of your sins, submit totally to God, live a life of holiness and have faith in God!
Prayer: Father fill me with your Joy at all times in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero