I was going through a devotional on the YouVersion Bible app regarding Joy. These are a few of my takeaways from that devotional. Bible plan is Walking in Joy: The Fruit of the Spirit 7-day bible-Reading Plan.
Joy Isn’t Optional
I thought to myself, what do you mean Joy isn’t optional?
Psalm 119:1-3 NLT Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. In other translations, this starts with “blessed”. In the Strong’s blessed is read as happiness, interjection, how happy! Isn’t joyfulness us being happy? Aren’t we people of integrity and don’t we follow his laws? Then according to this verse, we should be joyful, blessed, and happy, right?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Other translations say “Rejoice always”! This is a verb, an action. To be cheerful, calmly happy. So, we were just given 3 commands. Be joyful, pray and be thankful in ALL circumstances. It is what God wants for our lives. Why do we fight it so hard?
1 John 5:14-15 NLT And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know he will give us what we ask for.
So, because we have a relationship with God and he gives us these commands, why are we not walking in Joy? If God is in our lives, why is it so hard? Maybe because there is an enemy that comes to kill, steal and destroy us.
Protect My Joy
As I was reading through the next day’s devotional, I understood the topic, but I didn’t understand how Nehemiah 8:10 played into this.
Nehemiah 8:10 NLT And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength. I looked this up in the Strong’s and in here “strength” means a place of safety or protection. So, yes, we need to protect our Joy. Because the Joy of the Lord is our protection! If our Joy is taken by satan, how can we have strength in the Lord?
Philippians 4:4-6 NLT Always be joyful in the Lord. I say it again, Rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. King James Version says to rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoice is a verb; it is being cheerful or calmly happy. So being full of the Joy of the Lord should be us being cheerful or calmly happy. If we are constantly worrying, then we can’t be joyful. That is why verse 6 tells us not to worry about anything, we should pray about everything.
So, by protecting our Joy, we are not worrying, we are taking our worries to God in prayer, and we are thanking him for what he has already done. He’s done some things, right?
Joy Defeats the Devil!
Jerry Savelle said, “If satan can’t steal your Joy, he can’t keep your goods.”
Ephesians 6:12 NLT For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Psalms 35:9 NLT Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. Yes, things are going to come against us, but we have the promise that God will rescue us if we rejoice in him.
Psalms 43:4 NLT There I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my Joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! Is God the source of all your Joy? Why not? Make a plan for him to be.
Worry, fear, and depression all put you in a position of defeat. That posture opens the door right up to the devil. BUT…Joy and praise put the devil to flight. And they keep him at bay. So, be joyful on purpose. Praise and worship God for all the things He’s done in your life. Get up and dance before Him. Thank Him for sending Jesus to pay the price for you.
Make Joy a lifestyle. Make it a daily habit. Joy will defeat every plan of the devil in your life. Are you going to let it? Joy is healthy! We know that stress is the underlying cause of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and more. Worry, depression, and unforgiveness all contribute to poor health. Remember Joy isn’t an option. God commands us to be joyful.
The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
Proverbs 17:22 ESV A joyful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones…
Psalms 37:7-9 NLT Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
Let the presence of the Lord be your strength. Let Him rule your life and not the devil. Stop worrying and obsessing about the things you can’t control. Let God have control and wait for Him to lead you on the correct path. I waited a year, and I knew beyond any doubt when it was time for me to move. God will lead you; you just have to let him. Stop picking up the worry and choose Joy. Choose it even when it hurts. Praise Him in the sadness and the pain. He is there for you. You just have to choose it.
Christie Coffman
I have attended CommonGround church for the past 12 years and am thankful for the first day that I stepped inside its doors. Through the leadership of the church I have grown so much in my walk with Jesus. I have gone deeper and I have matured so much. I continue to grow and look forward to go deeper in my love for God. I have a passion for serving people and God. I have been a part of many teams; kids, coffee bar, greeting, food pantry, women’s leadership, prayer team. I currently serve in the 4-5 yr old room in CG lil’ Kids, Prayer team and Intercessory Prayer team, and part of the Women’s Leadership team. I have the pleasure of running the cleaning team for the church. I’ve enjoyed that for the past 11 years.
I work at Tulsa Public Schools, Child Nutrition department in charge of Free/reduced meals and the IT things of Child Nutrition. My daughter, Aspen, graduated from Will Rogers High School in May and also from Tulsa Tech with a photography degree. She is strong and mighty and going to do amazing things. I have also have two step sons, that are grown with families. They are U.S. Marines and I couldn’t be prouder of them.
I enjoy crafting, hanging out with friends, hiking, listening to worship music and spending time with Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:13, You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with your whole heart.