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I Choose To Be Joyful

By cherylz1961 on October 27, 2014 • ( 1 )

“There is nothing dreary or doubtful about (the life). It is meant to be continually joyful…We are called to a settled happiness in the Lord whose joy is our strength.” ~ Amy Carmichael

“My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,  and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed,  I meditate on You in the night watches,for You have been my help,  and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.” Psalm 63:5-7 (NAS)

There are many scriptures that mention joy. John 15:7-11 reminds us, “If we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, we should ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us.” We are then told to abide in His love. It is important to note that if God’s Word abides in us, we will pray according to His will. Therefore, anything we request in our prayers must be aligned to the will and purposes of God, if we expect them to be answered. This is a joyful hope and worth some meditation!

Do you regularly meditate on the wonders of God, His blessings and kindnesses, His faithfulness and provisions? What a wonderful way to slip into slumber; remembering the faithful acts of love God has demonstrated throughout your day/life! What sweet sleep you will enjoy, and what peaceful dreams!

We serve a God of eternal hope who fills us with joy and peace. Why? So that we might overflow with hope…. And serve as His reflection. We are His representatives, ambassadors of Christ. With hope, and the grace of God, we can do all things. Hope enables us to journey down unknown and dangerous paths with a song of joy in our hearts. Hope has the ability to spur us on to good works and push us through the darkest of times. Joy, praise, and unspoken feelings of joy are one way we, His creation, can give Him the glory He deserves.

Unfortunately, It is easy to loose joy when we are suffering a pain or sorrow. Should depression or despair be your companions of late, it is most likely your focus has moved to something other than your Savior’s face. Jesus, because of the joy awaiting Him, endured the cross. He looked beyond His present circumstances of suffering to the eternal glory He would soon partake.

Can you look beyond your present circumstances and rejoice with a joyful heart, knowing that what you suffer now is not worth comparing to the glory soon to be revealed in you? Can you maintain joy in your valley and sing of it to your Savior? This would be a beautiful sacrifice of praise and a witness to many.

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength at all times. CHOOSE to be joyful. Make a decision to see the positive blessings that are to come, or that are all around you right now. We have been gifted with an inexpressible joy, thanks to the love and sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you open His gift with a decision to sing, speak, or even whisper His praise. You will find your joy grows and matures when you praise Him in your valley.

“Joy runs deeper than despair.” ~ Corrie ten Boom

TAKE TIME TO MEDITATE ON THESE THREE SCRIPTURES

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)