Our joy is not to be found in ourselves. Seriously, we keep trying to find a place of joyfulness as if we can attain such a state and once we do our lives will be exponentially easier to live. The truth is, the joy we need to have is joy IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Joy in God.
If we truly joy in God, we are not seeking self-joy. If we place our trust in God, truly place our trust in Him then our joy is in Him, not in ourselves or anything of this world. We can joy in God and the flower HE created for us to see, smell, touch and feel happy about, but that joy isn't in the flower itself but rather the Creator of the flower we are being allowed to enjoy. Joy in the glory we know is of God. Joy in the plan God has given to us. Joy in the salvation we are given. Joy in the eternal, not the temporary. Yes, appreciate the temporary joys we are often blessed to receive, but joy in God who provided the temporary joys. When the temporary joys disappear we must be thankful for however long we had to enjoy them, giving glory and honor to the God we joy in for His ways are far above ours. As temporary joys are stripped from our lives in a moment or agonizingly slowly allowed to disappear, we cling to the joy that is God and His wisdom as we are given that chance to place our joy fully in God through all of our lives. When we comprehend that the most horrible of tribulations and tragedies are for us to endure and still joy in God, we know in our core that all tribulation, all tragedies and trials are temporary. Fifty years of tribulation, sixty years, seventy years… of pure trial and tragedy- some lives are just this. Some lives have little to no joy, just day after day of pain. This life is temporary- in all its horror and all its temporary joys. The problem is, so many of us want temporary joy over eternal joy, seeking temporary joys constantly and only being satisfied with temporary joy.
When we joy in God we have joy in the eternal.
We joy in the things above, not the things of earth. Satan would have us only seek the temporary joys, and barring that settle for temporary contentment, and even further Satan would have us believe there is no such thing as eternal joy. Satan would have us despair now and cut us off to all eternal joy.
We must joy in God, joy in our eternal God first and foremost.
God help us to that end. All through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior now and forever!
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Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
(Excerpt EJ Waggoner_
Joy in God.
By the same life by which we receive the reconciliation and salvation, "we also joy in God."
Christ's life is a joyous life. When David had fallen, he prayed, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit." Ps. 61:12. The brightness of the heavens, the beauty of the infinite variety of flowers with which God clothes the earth, and the glad songs of the birds, all indicate that God delights in joy and beauty. Brightness and song are but the natural expressions of his life. "Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Ps. 5:11.
Psa_5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psa_35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psa_95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psa_95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psa_98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise
Psa_149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Isa_61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels
2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
2Co 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down
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