Joy Of The Lord

“Joy is a choice. It’s a matter of attitude that stems from one’s confidence in God-that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening and will happen. Either we fix our minds on that and determine to laugh again, or we wail and whine our way through life. We determine which way we will go.” – Chuck Swindoll, Laugh Again

When we choose to experience joy in the Lord over joy in circumstance, we realize joy in the Lord lasts while Joy in circumstance does not. Why? Because joy in circumstance has no power. It changes; it transforms like a river. In a good circumstance joy may run wide and deep, but in a bad circumstance joy dries up quickly, becoming tapered and shallow .

Joy in circumstance is inconsistent. It’s not dependable. You may walk out the front door prepared for an important meeting with joy in your heart, but then your car won’t start. Battery is dead. You have to call a tow. You miss the meeting. Your joy has evaporated.

But by choosing to live in the joy of the Lord we overcome inconsistency. Joy of the Lord does not rely on circumstance. Once we decide to receive true joy of the Lord, that joy remains despite circumstance. It’s reliable, always there for us because we place the circumstance into God’s hands. We acknowledge He is in control of what is and will happen.

A joyful attitude allows for thanking God the car didn’t stop on the road. It appreciates co-workers willing to pick us up, allowing for personal bonding time. Retaining joy in the Lord creates a calm atmosphere in place of a potentially anxious one.

Joy of the Lord. It’s a choice we make. A choice that defines us.

The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the Jews rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. The Jewish nation took many years to rebuild the wall because of others who stopped them. And it was not as impressive a wall as the Jews would have liked. Then, during the celebration of completing the wall the people felt convicted after the Book of the Law was read to them. The celebration was not as “joyful” a day as they hoped.

Then Nehemiah reminded them, “the joy of the LORD is your strength”, not their circumstance.

NEHEMIAH 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Believing and acknowledging joy comes from the Lord allows us joy in any circumstance.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Have you invited Jesus into your heart? Now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com.

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen.”

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To learn and share the importance of keeping God’s name holy, order copies of LIFT HIM UP DON’T PULL HIM DOWN @ LULU.COM or AMAZON.COM for your next Bible study.