JOY OF THE LORD
INTRODUCTION
Joy of the Lord is your strength, according to the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:10); with no greater joy than to have God’s presence in one’s heart and life. The Psalmist David looked to God in the midst of suffering, in praying: Hear O Lord, and have mercy upon me; Lord, be you my helper (Psalm 30:10).
David then acknowledged what the Lord had done: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing (joy); you have put off my sackcloth (sign of mourning), and girded me with gladness (abundant joy) (Psalm 30:11). There is abundant provision, even in the midst of suffering, a joyful spirit when God comes on the scene, as one’s thoughts are elevated towards a heavenly presence.
Joy of the Lord
Despite Imprisonment
The joy of the Lord was experienced when Paul and Silas were imprisoned at Philippi. Scripture reveals: When they had laid many stripes upon them; they were thrust in the inner prison, and made (fastened) their feet fast in the stocks. Despite the suffering, the imprisonment, the joy of the Lord filled their hearts and at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God (Acts 16:23-25).
Scripture reveals that suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s (all the prisoners) were loosen (Acts 16:26). What a miraculous testimony of the power of prayer and praise unto God, even in the midst of troublesome times.
It was noted that the jailer and prisoners heard Paul and Silas’ testimony in prayer and song, which brought divine intervention of an earthquake. Another divine moment was the fact that the prisoners did not attempt to escape, which would have cost the jailer his life; instead the jailor and his family received Christ in their heart that night.
Joy in Tribulation
The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was falsely accused and brought before the council and High Priest. Stephen reminded those before him of Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s messengers, with a prayer that demonstrated he was speaking the truth in love, not in malice. Scripture reveals: When they (the council and High Priest) heard these things, they were cut to the heart (furious), and they gnashed on (at) him with their teeth (Acts 8:54).
Scripture reveals: Being full of the Holy Ghost (that of God’s Spirit), he (Stephen) looked up steadfastly (intently) into heaven, and saw the glory of God (the joy of the Lord rose within Stephen at that moment), and Jesus, standing on the right hand of God (Acts 8:55). And as they stoned Stephen, he called upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; lay not this sin to their charge (Acts 8:59-60).
Endurance in Time of
Suffering
In a poem titled: "This too will Pass Away" by an unknown author, are found these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be. If I can remain calm and quiet with my entire world crashing about me secure in the knowledge God loves me. If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true that darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away too; then nothing in life can defeat me.
For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer whatever is happening, for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear. For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near.
Characteristics of the Time
Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age: You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers (various) places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8).
Because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:12-13). We are experiencing events that will usher in the tribulation period, described in the Book of Revelations, and if one is not solid in their relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior despair could readily set in.
Those firmly entrenched in the love of Christ the joy of the Lord will abide, and see one through. The Psalmist David revealed: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me (Psalm 23:4). David experienced many such moments in his life but knew who his deliver was.
Promotion of Unrighteousness
There has been an attempt to downgrade the righteousness of God. The Prophet Amos revealed there will be a time that the fruit of righteousness will be turned into hemlock (Amos 6:12). It is interesting to note that the word hemlock refers to a plant that poison is derived from. Poison infects or pollutes the body until injury, illness, or death results. It can be of a harmful influence such as will ruin, taint, inhibit, or embitter.
When this influence creeps into a church, oftentimes unawares, it creates a powerless church. A dream captivated this through in which the righteous man was ridiculed, of whose influence no longer had any effect. A church of pomp, splendor, where true worship was taboo and sin no longer identified.
Lives were without change or with little endurance if change occurred. In such an environment (a progressive social gospel) the truth of the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God will have been greatly diminished as the world becomes more endeared to the heart of those weak in faith with the genuine joy of the Lord not in evidence.
Return of Christ
Apostle Paul wrote: What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming (1 Thessalonians 2:19)? The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout (what is known as the rapture; catching away of the church), with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump (trumpet) of God; and the dead in Christ (those who have preceded us) shall rise first.
We which are alive and remain (steadfast in faith) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever (always) be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This event was confirmed by those who witnessed Jesus departure.
Apostle Paul wrote: While the disciples beheld His (Jesus) departure, two men in white apparel (angels) revealed: This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11). A promise that will be fulfilled when the rapture of the saints of God takes place on that day when the joy of the Lord will be overwhelming as one departs to be with the Lord forever in a heavenly abode.
Diminishing of Joy
The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10) but there may be instances in one’s life that would attempt to take that joy away; if possible, to dominate and control. Such was a rising of evilness is mentioned in the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit (Revelation 18:2).
Apostle Peter wrote: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (whose activities we are still witnessing today) into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that afterward should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). There continues to be a flaunting of sin, with no fear of God, openly declared with pride and a demand for acceptance by all.
In regards to the pre-Flood days of Noah, Peter wrote: God spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the ungodly (2 Peter 2:5). There was little joy of the Lord in those days except Noah and his household, Lot and his family, who God delivered from the destruction.
Joy in Christ
If you are seeking the joy of the Lord; not the temporal joy man might offer, through drugs and other means, but a heart-felt, God-given joy, you can through the Lord Jesus Christ and the joy of the Lord will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Apostle Paul wrote: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). It was noted that salvation is the most common biblical expression used to identify the change in a person’s life, when by faith they have received Christ as Lord and Savior.
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