JOY OF THE LORD
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INTRODUCTION
The joy of the Lord is your strength, according to God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:10), with no greater blessing than to feel God’s presence in the midst of trial or suffering. The Psalmist David thanked God for relief in a time of suffering: Hear of Lord, and have mercy upon me; Lord, be you my helper.
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 30:10-11). There is abundant provision, joyful uniting, when God comes on the scene, as one’s thoughts are elevated towards a heavenly presence!
Joy of the Lord
Through Prayer and Praise
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 every one’s bands 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 and understood its significance! Another divine moment was the fact that the prisoners did not attempt to escape, which would have cost the jailor 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, who 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) heard these things, they were cut to the heart (furious), and they gnashed on (at) him with their teeth (Acts 8:54).
The joy of the Lord arose in Stephen at that moment. Scripture reveals: Being full of the Holy
Ghost (that of God’s Spirit), he (Stephen), looked up steadfastly into heaven,
and saw the glory of God, 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
There is much suffering in the world today; as many attempt to undo what God desires for mankind. Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, my peace, I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). In both illustrations previously given of Paul and Silas and Stephen, suffering did not alleviate the joy of the Lord!
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 a 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 Savior and Redeemer (Deliver) despair will set in; but to those firmly entrenched in the love of Christ, the joy of the Lord will abide, and uphold one as in the case of Paul and Silas, and Stephen, previously mentioned!
Promotion of Unrighteousness
We are witnessing an attempt to downgrade righteousness as the evilness of man promotes unrighteousness. 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 thought 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 the joy of the Lord will have been greatly diminished as the world overtakes those weak in the faith.
Return of Christ
Apostle Paul asked: 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). Paul revealed: The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 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; then 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) with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
This was confirmed by those who had witnessed Jesus’ departure to be with His Father in heaven, after His resurrection. Scripture reveals that while the disciples beheld His departure, two men in white apparel 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).
Rising of Evilness
As previously mentioned: The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). We live in a fallen world that would seek to take that joy away; if possible, to dominate and control. There is a rising of evilness that as mentioned in the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit. Scripture records all of these were destroyed by the hand of God. We are not seeing the resurfacing of Sodom and Gomorrah, despite God’s warning.
Apostle Peter noted: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that afterward should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). There is a flaunting of sin that reveals no fear of God, or of His judgment, as many attempt to elevate themselves above God, openly declaring sin with pride and a demand for acceptance! 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).
A Guiding Light
Joy of the Lord can be a reality to the one who has committed their life over to Jesus, as Lord and Savior, and allowed His Word to be a guiding light to their life, without compromise. The Psalmist wrote: Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). The Lord shall preserve (keep) you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul (Psalm 121:7).
With such assurance, one can be as Paul and Silas, and Stephen, previously mentioned, who had the joy of the Lord despite adverse conditions in their live that attempted to take that joy away. There are many reports of such suffering today, including many being martyred for taking a stand for Christ, as in the case of Stephen.
Gladness of Heart
Apostle Paul wrote that the fruit of the Spirit (Spirit of God) is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). It was noted that love is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without thought of return. Joy is gladness of heart. Peace is tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear. Long-suffering is patience with others, the opposite of short temper, a disposition quietly bearing injury. Gentleness is kindness. Goodness is generosity. Faith is dependability.
Meekness is courtesy and consideration in one’s relationships with others. Temperance is self-control, that is, the ability to harness and control one’s passions and lusts. At conversion (acceptance of Jesus into one’s heart and life) one has crucified the flesh, in repentance having renounced a life of sin and all its wicked passions. One cannot do this though self but with the help of God’s Spirit. Joy of the Lord becomes a factor in the life of the believer who has crucified the flesh and is living in Christ’s image.
Joy in Christ
Upon acceptance of Christ into one’s heart and life, one will come to understand what the joy of the Lord is! In suffering as Paul and Silas (previously mentioned) who expressed joy in trying times, winning those who had witnessed such, and God’s response to it!
If you are seeking such joy, not the temporal joy man might offer, through drugs and other means, but a heart-felt, God-given joy, you can through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the joy of the Lord being your strength (Nehemiah 8:10. Scripture reveals: Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
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