GLORIOUS JOY
02nd Feb 2022
Joyce’s last weeks message on “His Presence” received a lot of very positive response. In some ways I am continuing in the same vein. Psalm 21:6 in NLT says, “You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him joy in your presence.”
Joy is such a powerful thing. When we know that we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and that “His Presence” is with us 24/7, we will know an outpouring of joy into our lives. The difference between “joy” and “happiness” is that happiness has to do with circumstances around us, but joy comes from deep within because we have “His Presence” with us all the time.
Psalm 16:11 says, “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Peter quotes this verse on the day of Pentecost, demonstrating that this is all part of the “salvation package”.
So how is your “Joy” level? It belongs to you, and it is freely available at all times. During these strange times it has become easy to get isolated and lose our joy. The fact that we have seen so few people has also been a factor, because not only does our joy come from His presence, we carry that joy to those we meet. It is so good to be getting back to being together and have face to face meetings with friends and family.
Paul felt the need of others to keep his joy level up. In 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 he says, “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also the comfort you had given him….so that my joy was greater than ever.”
When Jesus is praying for His disciples in John 17, verse 13 says, “So that they may have the full measure of my joy in them.” Peter too speaks of the birthright of every believer being joy, in his letter he says, “Though you have not seen him you love him; and even though you don’t see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)
This “glorious joy” is available to you every day, and as you reach out and connect with other believers you can become a “Titus” to them and make their joy “greater than ever.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
