What is joy? Proverbs 10:28, "The certainty of the righteous (in Christ) is joy." Habakkuk 3:18 says, "I do joy in the GOD of my salvation." John 3:16 says, "For GOD so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life." It's not just a "head" knowledge, but a "heart" knowledge. The Holy Spirit confirms your salvation by entering, guiding, and strengthening you. This is our inner personal joy!
Joy also comes from the things you say. Proverbs 15:23, "A man finds joy in giving a fitting reply - and how good is a timely word.
Joy is also found in justice. Proverbs 21:15, "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers."
Joy also occurs in heaven for the lost! Luke 15:7, "I say to you that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Joy for our LORD tells us to, "Shout aloud and sing for joy...for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." In Christ's day He was the Holy One. Today, the Holy Spirit in us gives witness to the Holy One.
Joy is not only expressed by men and the angels, but trees! I Chronicles 16:33, "Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD for He comes to judge the earth."
Joy even comes from non-living things! Luke 19:14 Jesus was speaking to the unbelieving Pharisees who wished to silence His followers, "I tell you if they (His followers) keep quiet, the stones will cry out" in joy of Who He is.
Joy will be a global event! Psalm 98:14, "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music."
Joy will be great just before Christ's return. Romans 8:19, "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of GOD to be revealed." But joy will be at its greatest as verse 21 continues, "The creation itself will be liberated from the bondage of decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of GOD!" Heavenly!
Joy's greatest gift from our LORD Jesus is found in I Thessalonians 4:16, "For the LORD Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of GOD and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever!" So what is joy? See my next blog!
No comments:
Post a Comment