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This Week’s Devotional Topic
REAL JOY
As we think about the emotion of “Joy” today, let us invest these few moments listening to Real Joy as described in God’s word.
No doubt many of you have heard that “the Joy of the LORD is our strength”, listen to those words from Nehemiah
Nehemiah 8:9-12 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 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!” And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
The Psalmist David had times of joy and times of brokenness and knew the importance of starting the day with the Lord, being reminded that His joy can come in the morning…
Psalm 30:4,5 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 16:11, 18 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.
Psalm 32:11; 33:1,3,12 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Let the godly sing for joy to the LORD; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him. Sing a new song of praise to Him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,
Psalm 51:8,12 Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me—now let me rejoice. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.
Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about Your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
The Wise Men…
Matthew 2:9,10 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
At the Resurrection of Jesus…
Matthew 28:7,8 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
In the words of Jesus…
Luke 15:7, 10 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
And Jesus speaking again in…
John 15:10-12 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. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Romans 14:17; 15:13 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Hebrews 12:1,2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Lord help us to wake up refreshed knowing full well that you will provide “Joy in the Morning”. Amen.
This week’s Scripture:
Nehemiah 8:9-12; Job 5:15-18; Psalm 30:4,5; 16:11,18; 32:11; 33:1,3,12; 51:8,12; 53:6; 59:16; Matthew 2:9,10; 28:7,8; Luke 15:7, 10; John 15:10,12; Romans 14:17:15:13: Hebrews 12:1,2 and James 1:2-4
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