| "For the joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10 could very well be condensed to the statement, "joy is strength." If we increase our joy, we increase our strength. If we have strength in the Lord, then we have joy. We could also make the claim that "faith is strength" (the power to move mountains Mark 11-23-24). If our faith is strong, then we also will have joy. This helps to clarify the letter of James where he states, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:2-3 Here James links joy with faith. Joy in the midst of trials seems counter intuitive and contrary to experience but when joy is equated with faith and both is equated with patience or endurance or long-suffering which is tantamount to strength, then the statement makes more sense. When and if we look at a problem and face it with detachment, believing that every situation is an opportunity for God to be God to and for us, then we can look at the problem with joy, with faith, with patience and strength, knowing that God is in complete control of everything. The goal is to be strong, vibrant, joy-filled, expectant, faith-filled, empowered, blessed, and sound child of God in season and out of season, in good times and in difficult times, when things are going our way and when things seem to contradict the love and goodness of God. Joy.....Faith...Strength...they all work together. It should be a strong desire of our heart. In fact, it is the prayer of St. Paul, That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all Pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and Increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened With all might, according to his glorious power, unto all Patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Col1:10-11 To walk worthy of the Lord and please Him and be faithful and know Him better, strengthened with all might with patience and with joyfulness is the goal of the Christian life. To get to the place where the things that come against us can be tackled with strength and faith and joy is to get to a very good place in God. According to St. Peter, "the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold.....ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." 1Peter:7-8 Every circumstance is an opportunity to grow in faith and grow in joy. The Acts of the Apostles, if it is anything, it is a book that showed the joy of the first apostles as they begin to move in the Spirit, preach, teach, and heal in Jesus name and in spite of opposition, persecution, imprisonment, and death. This only the Holy Spirit could provide through faith. So the first thing to realize if you are Spirit-filled and walk in faith, strength, and joy is that God wants you to be the head and not the tail. God has given you authority as kings and priests, and you must take it and act from that position. "All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and teach."Math.28:18-19 When we perceive our position, our power in Christ, it will give us joy. The second thing to realize is that gathering with believers of like faith, strength, and joy will increase what we lack and increase what we have. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles Doctrine, fellowship, and breaking of bread and In prayers......Praising God, and having favor with All people. Acts2:42,47 Celebrations and gatherings of faith bring joy. Praying with people of similar faith increases our strength. If our faith is weakening get around other believers and joy with be transferred. The third thing to do is get in the word. "Study to show yourself approved unto God, workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Tim.2:15 To get the approval of the Master, to get the approval of God, bring joy. To rightly divide the word of Truth, to know how to use the word of God gives wisdom (which promotes thee and brings thee honor Proverbs 4:7-8) and victory and joy. Victory brings joy. We get the victory by applying the word to our circumstances and seeing God deliver the goods. We look through the eyes of faith, not on what is seen but what is unseen 2Cor.4:18 and as we do, we grow, develop and get joy. To be a Christian is a joy-filled and glorious experience. It often is not because we don't perceive our position in Christ, but when we do.... Watch out. Amen The letter of St. Paul to the Philippians Joy is: The attitude to overcome suffering The medium for faith’s fulfillment The sign of victory over the enemy The catalyst for bold proclamation The disposition to spread the gospel The means to bury the past The impetus to run the race The perspective to handle trials The source of all enthusiasm The state of Christian maturity The package containing love Blessed joy a gift so precious Makes life's journey Oh so gracious Aids the saint to live victorious ‘Tis the fruit of Spirit glorious Oh to have this unctuous ointment Oh to share this gift divine What a present for each moment What a blessedness sublime To you my friend I pray you gaining Joy unspeakable, joy unending With it you can meet life’s challenge And find peace to more than manage Because of the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus, I count everything else as loss There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me And my God will fulfil all your needs out of the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus The strength of God's joy Enables the believer to express his faith With such a conviction that it surpasses reason And reaches to the heights of heaven |