I like to talk about joy a lot. But I don’t think we can ever talk about it too much as we walk by faith in this world.
Jesus is my joy. He is my salvation. The joy of the Lord is fellowship with Him. Jesus is where my joy comes from.
In this world, I will have trouble, hard times, struggles, attacks, battles with sin, persecutions, and trials. Yet, I will be of good cheer (John 16:33).
I will walk in joy. I will be joyful — full of joy — because Jesus has overcome this world. Jesus has won the battle. And I fellowship with Him. He is mine and I am His.
He suffered. And I suffer. But for a little while we suffer. God perfects, confirms, strengthens, and establishes us. (1 Peter 5:10) There is great purpose in suffering. Jesus has removed the sting.
Where, oh death is your sting? Where is your victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Jesus is my joy.
The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). As I walk by faith, as I go out into this world, as I am saved from my own iniquity, as I follow Him, His joy is my strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2). I endure for the joy set before me. I may despise the trouble, yet I endure for the joy set before me.
The joy of the Lord is mine. The joy of His salvation, the joy of His victory, the joy of fellowship with Jesus is mine. Jesus is my joy.
But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You (Psalm 5:11).
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11).
…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
A blessing for all my readers: May you walk in the joy of the Lord this day.
