Express Joy
Express Joy!
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
Is it possible to be full of joy when faced with temptations or hard times? Emphatically yes! As a matter of fact, there’s no better time to express the joy of the Spirit that’s in your heart than in the face of adversity. You were created by God to be joyful at all times. Therefore no matter the challenges or trials that you face, express joy in the Holy Ghost; it’s a demonstration of your faith in the Lord.
James 1:2-3 says “…Count it all joy, when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” This doesn’t necessarily mean that we should be joyful for every adverse situation, but that you be exuberant with praise to the Lord in spite of them. This kind of attitude sets the forces of heaven in operation on your behalf and causes all that concerns you to be perfected. For you, it’s victory all the time; but the key is learning to keep your joy afloat, irrespective and independent of circumstances.
When you worship the Lord in spite of the challenges you might be facing you’re affirming that the Greater One who lives in you has already given you the victory. Whether you feel happy or not, you should continually make melodies of joy, praise and thanksgiving in your heart to the Lord! The Bible tells us something striking about joy in Isaiah 12:3, it says, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Salvation refers to all the good things that are yours in Christ Jesus—divine health, prosperity, success, progress, protection etc. The Word says with joy shall you draw out; that means experience or cause to come into manifestation those great and wonderful blessings that are yours in Christ. It emphasizes the connection between your faith and being joyful.
Make up your mind that this year, nothing is going to rob you of the joy of the Lord that’s in your spirit. Decide that you’ll be joyful no matter what! This is important because your joyful attitude in the face of tests and trials is a demonstration of your faith in the Lord, and in His ability to put you over and above every situation.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I thank you for your presence in my life; thank you for filling my heart with joy, and my mouth with singing! The joy of the Holy Ghost is in my heart today, expressed in praise and worship to you, in honour and appreciation of your ability to put me over above the adversities of life,
in Jesus’s Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Psalms 5:11;Psalm 149:5-9
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible reading plan: Matthew 21:1-32 ; Exodus 19-18
2 Year Bible reading plan: Acts 14: 1-7; Job 30-31
