Joy – Terry Unthank
The Bible tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. It’s easy to be joyful when you’re given a raise at work, or you receive an unexpected blessing. It’s harder to have joy when a doctor gives you a bad report or a close friend turns their back on you. The joy of the Lord is not based on conditions. His joy is unspeakable and full of glory.
How can a person have joy in the midst of the valley? It’s by knowing who the giver of joy is. In all things we can give thanks not for all things but in all things. James 1:2-3 states “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The joy of the Lord doesn’t exempt you from struggle, but it can sustain you. Psalm 51:10-13 says ” Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
Christians lets have the joy of the Lord in our lives, for others to see how good our God is.