The Joy Of The Lord , Our Strength , By Rev. Christopher J. Derring, Th.D

 

11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11

There is a Joy that we can walk in that only comes from God. This Joy is not of this world, and can not be obtained in this world, it comes from God, to us, through Christ Jesus.

This Godly Joy passes all understanding, and is not moved by circumstances or trials of life.

This Joy is not happiness, which is dependent upon our current circumstances, This is something far greater, totally independent of circumstances. This Joy is a condition, that we Live with and remain in, not a feeling we obtain.

 

..... neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

 

The Joy of the Lord is the difference between Victory and Defeat, It is this Joy that gives us strength and courage to do what we can not do in our own strength.

When we begin to walk continually in this Joy those things that once bothered us, those things that once tormented us will no longer have any hold upon us.

 

16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16 :16-26

 

The Joy of the Lord comes through Praise and Worship unto God, Through intimate Communion with the Holy Spirit. When we choose to praise God in spite of our surrounding circumstance we will come into the Joy Unspeakable and full of Glory.

 

8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8

 

Rejoicing and praising God will usher in His Glory, His manifest presence, it is in His presence that our Joy is made complete.

 

11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

 

Paul and Silas Praised God in the midst of their troubles and as a result They were set free.

If we will praise our God and give Him our worship no matter what is going on around us and in our lives God’s presence will always surround us and bring us great Joy and peace.

 

.... weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

 

We all will face problems we all will feel alone and let down at times, but if we stay focused on God, If we look to His word for our solution, not to our outward situations and problems.

We will come through it victorious. We may endure some things for a while, we may have to fight some battles and go through great adversities for a while, but morning is coming and with it comes our Joy and our deliverance. Remember we are going through not camping out, our battles are but for a season, God will bring us out, this is our promise.

 

5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5

 

God sees our tears, He feels our pains, He knows our sufferings, But we must never give up, The only way to fail with God is to quit. If you determine in your heart that you will not give up, you will not stop trusting God, you will come through that thing your battling, and you will come out the other end stronger, and happier than you were before you went in.

 

22In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. Job 41:22

 

22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. Hebrews 10:22-23

 

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

Deliverance will come to those who stay in faith, it may seem like you are the only one going through it , but your not, The adversary attacks all believers to see if he can get them out of faith and into fear, but when the trials and tribulations come , if we stay in faith, trusting God, The enemy will not be able to win.

 

.... when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

 

In God’s presence we are untouchable from the enemies schemes and attacks. We are protected and covered in God’s presence, we are strengthened and encouraged, in God’s presence.

Our Joy and our peace are made complete in God’s presence. Everything we need, want and desire can be found in the presence of God Who loves us with a love that is unimaginable to us.

God is on our side, He wont let us down, He wont leave us alone, He will see us through !

 

9And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9

 

15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Psalm 89:15

 

23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15:23

 

3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

 

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10

 

13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13

 

12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

 

17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17

 

13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

 

24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© COPYRIGHT 2005 Christopher J. Derring , All Rights Reserved