The dictionary defines joy as the emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. The Bible tells us that true joy comes from the presence of the Lord. That joy is our strength; we need to hold on to it when the devil, people, and circumstances try to steal it. The opposites of joy are misery, sadness, and calamity, so you definitely want to hold on to joy and not take hold of those other things.

 

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Isaiah 12:3 says, “With joy you will draw from the well of salvation.”

 

The Greek word for salvation is “soteria” and it means deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue, and general well-being. These are all things we draw out by joy. That’s why it’s so important not to lose your joy! Joy is like having a big bucket to draw or dip up all these things we need from the well of salvation. Losing your joy is like losing your bucket!

 

John 16:24 says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” God wants our joy to be full and to stay full and we do this by re-joying or rejoicing and by asking with expectancy and thanksgiving! (Philippians 4:6)

 

Philippians 4:4 in the New International Version says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”.

Acts 20:24 says, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. We will finish our race with joy.”

 

A few years ago I was privileged to attend the funeral of George Eager, the founder of the “Mail Box Club”. Mr. Eager was a great man of God that was responsible for hundreds of thousands of children and their parents coming to Christ over the past 50 some odd years! He lived to be 91 years of age and I would see him on a regular basis driving his truck to the YMCA until the age of 90. One of the things that I noticed and almost everyone said about George Eager was that he was a man of great joy, and his joy came from the Lord. This joy that he received from the Lord helped him finish his race.

 

Choose to walk in the joy of the Lord!! It is your strength!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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