How many of us sang that song… “The joy of the Lo o o ord is my strength, the Joy of the Lo o o ord, is my strength, the joy of the Lo o o ord is my strength, the Joy of the Lord is my strength.” Well I have… for many many years… but this morning that one passage of scripture came to life today, and the Lord gave it meaning for me.
(Note: I believe that the simple truths in the Word are made common so that it looses its power. If the enemy can’t stop us from reading the Word, he will do what he can to make it of none-effect by making it common.)
The Bible says that there is a peace that passes all understanding. That means that no matter what you feel, see, hear, or even think you know… peace can overcome all of it. That is true freedom my friends, because as long as we live on this planet, we will go through stuff… but if we have that kind of peace, we will go through it victoriously. And being victorious means having a deep inherent joy. The Bible says to “count it ALL joy…” Wow!
Well, for years, I have sought after God’s love, and now this year He is wanting me to dive into His joy. See, it’s not “my” joy, it’s His joy. And when we have this kind of joy, that peace I’m talking about becomes a reality, not a “want to have” any more!
So, this is what He showed me this morning. To know, really know that He is filled with joy every single second, every single day, in every single thing… and that is what becomes my strength! Because when I truly trust this about Him, I can enter into that peace! So what I’m simply saying is that we are to see God as He really is. There is a scripture that says He sits and laughs at the enemy! He’s not anxious, upset, fearful, angry, doubtful, depressed or sick… He is filled with joy! He delights over us people! We are His delight! He doesn’t see all the havoc like we do, He sees us, His children whom He loves and approves of. When we “know” this of Him, that’s when we will understand the fear of the Lord. That’s when we will start to get a clue of His great love for us. That’s when our life and health will start to change and improve.
I wasn’t even out of bed this morning when the Lord brought this to me, and it was when I asked. See, I have been going through something that I’ve never gone through before, in my health. And I know it’s hormonal because of the kinds of symptoms I am having. And it’s not at all fun, it’s very disturbing and uncomfortable. So since I know that a chemical imbalance is due to my heart being out of balance, I asked the Lord… Father, what is out of balance in my life. Where am I not believing? Where am I not forgiving? Where is sin that I haven’t confessed? What is in there that doesn’t belong? And so as I pondered on a few things that I need to address, that’s when He showed me something about Job in the Bible.
Job was a just man before the Lord, and the enemy got to mess with him for awhile. As you know the story, Job was inflicted, physically and emotionally. He lost everything, he lost his family, friends, and even his health. He sat in the street covered with boils! What a painful situation to be in. But… in the midst of all this, He “knew” the Joy of the Lord… it was his strength, and that is why he could endure and trust God. He knew there was more going on than what he was experiencing, that there was a big plan, and that God has NOT forsaken him… He truly trusted God.
I believe Job asked the same questions that I did… and you find that in the last chapter…. And the Lord showed him he had unconfessed sins of fear and pride. So when job saw it, he repented, and ALL was restored and more! See, it was God’s joy that brought Him through, but it was Job’s confession that restored and healed!!!
So that is what I plan to do this year. Learn more and study more of what it means to have the joy of the Lord. The bible says that in His presence is fullness of joy. Wow… I like that. So in order to be filled with joy, we need to REMAIN in His presence. What a challenge for me this year… so excited about what is ahead.
I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution yet… so this is it. To understand ”the Joy of the Lord” and to learn to stay in His presence, because this is what I need to live out a godly, healthy and peaceful life.
Tags: fear of the lord, joy of the lord, joy of the lord is my strength, peace that passes all understanding, true freedom
