Reflections on “Choose Joy!” July 23, 2024
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24.14-15.
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13.
What is JOY? Can it be purchased or is it availableanywhere? Curious about how and why this hope is present, that isn’t available at the stores. When we focus on God and His Word, He gives us Joy that grows as we meditate day and night.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3.
Delight is given in the Thesaurus in these words, Joy is a higher degree of Delight. In Psalm 37:3-5, these words occur in reference to Delight. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.
The words, Trust, Do Good, Befriend Faithfulness, Delight and Commit, and God will give us answers that teach us steadfastness and understanding of His Word until it is day and night!
Watch repetitions of the words that mean Joy. And so it is here: Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-8.
How does God bless us and care for us? He sent Jesus to be our sacrifice for all of God’s commandments that we do not obey, or fail, or try to have our own way, instead of following Him.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18.
“Again, for the second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew 26:42. It is not our will be done, but His will. Only when we read The Scriptures, will we know His will.
Two are better than one. Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ? There is a great need to gather to worship together, Sing Praises to our Lord, and be an encouragement and blessing to one another. Blessedness is another word for God’s Joy. This is called a church that adheres to the Holy Bible.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Why is attendance in a church, that is built on God’s Word, is good? Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:22-25.
Again, from John, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 17:14-16.
Joy comes from living steadfastly and immovably on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ!