Joy of the Lord
“Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
I love watching a good football game! In fact there are a lot of things in this world that bring me a great deal of happiness; football, baseball, hunting, fishing, nature, good food, good company, old friends, etc., etc. But no matter what kind of happiness those things bring me, it’s only temporary. Next week I’m having dinner, then going to one of my alma matter’s football games with some of my high school friends. It doesn’t get much better than that-3 of my favorite activities combined. I’m already excited! No matter what makes you happy though it’s only temporary. Next Friday night will great, but in reality it will only last for a few hours, then it will be over. The happiness of that time will only be temporary! No matter what you enjoy doing the happiness you draw from those things will not last. Sooner or later we are forced back into “the real world”, where happiness can be quickly sucked away as you deal with demanding bosses, slacking coworkers, ungrateful people, just the everyday stresses of life.
However, the joy that comes from God is eternal! I Like to say, “Happiness is temporary, but joy is eternal!” Joy given by God cannot be extinguished; it may be temporarily averted, but it cannot be put out! The Apostle Paul is a perfect example of what I mean. In Philippians 4 he tells us that no matter what we should rejoice in the Lord. “Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always ; again I will say, rejoice ! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God is essential to joy. In fact, I don’t believe joy can be found without the peace of God! No matter what this world gives us the peace of God will bring us eternal joy.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are more examples that the peace of God is the only thing that brings everlasting joy. “Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire ; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew the peace of God, so when they were confronted by the king, and told to worship his golden image they joyfully refused because they knew that the joy from God could not be extinguished; but it would protect them from the flames.
Likewise, if we the peace of God it will protect us from the dangers of this world, and give us His eternal joy!
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Father God, I thank You for giving me Your never-ending joy, and I ask that Your peace would protect me, so that I would always be filled with the Joy of the Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Yes, You Can Ministry 