Joy is so good! But life is not just about happy and fun times. Meditate on this post and learn how to have joy with your family regardless of your challenges and surrounding circumstances.
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Reason for joy
Who doesn’t want to live happy forever? This desire is a gift from God to our lives. Not only wanting but also the ability to live in joy is a blessing given to those who accept his call to live in communion with him.
The problem is when we want to build this joy on a weak and passing foundation. There are actually worse and better reasons to rejoice. So we need to carefully decide what kind of joy we will choose. And we will surely have it.
Don’t rejoice for a moment
When Jesus sent the disciples to announce the good news of the Gospel, they came back celebrating because many people were impacted by that message. Healing and miracles happened, and of course those men had a great satisfaction in their duty.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Jesus, Gospel of Luke 10:20
But Jesus told them to change that joy motive for an even better one. Joy is always good! But instead of rejoicing in what they had seen as a result of their work representing Jesus, He directs them to rejoice in the work that Jesus Himself had done.
The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of joy because the presence of the King exudes eternal joy par excellence. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In his presence there is abundance of joy. While Adam made a mistake and created a debt, Jesus paid the bill voluntarily for love. After death there is resurrection! And this joy becomes the life and strength of everyone who chooses by faith to live the Kingdom of God and his righteousness as a priority.
Oil of gladness
In this series The King of kings, we remember that the wise men brought to Jesus gifts that prophetically point to his purpose and the values of his kingdom. Gold symbolizes the durability and nobility of his justice, incense represents the prayers with thanksgiving for true peace, and myrrh expresses joy.
you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Psalms 45:7-8
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad
Myrrh is presented in the Bible associated with moments of celebration and pleasure. This material from the root of a shrub, which grows in Yemen and neighboring regions of Africa, is bitter in taste and astringent. Used as a perfume, it was one of the ingredients of the anointing oil and also used for embalming.
Great pain, great joy
It was this substance that the Roman soldiers mixed with wine and gave to Jesus during the crucifixion. Their idea was to decrease the pain and facilitate the death of Jesus more quickly. But He refused to drink that, suffering all that was necessary to do the Father’s will. Thus was fulfilled yet another of the prophecies concerning the Messiah:
They gave me poison for food,
King David, Psalms 69:21
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.
So too, you must stand firm in your challenges, admitting that suffering is part of this life, but this is not the end of the story. And instead of choosing brief moments of pleasure or relief, pay the necessary price of waiting, praying with thanksgiving, and declaring the Word of God over your life.. Believe that there ahead He will honor you with eternal joy. There is a reward for those who trust in God and this is simply the best option.
Joy Matches Worship
Victory over death will be an everlasting theme in the Kingdom of God. And that is cause for full joy. When we recognize Jesus as the King of kings, his holiness, sovereignty, goodness, wisdom, generosity, patience and grace, there is no other way but to worship him.
Worship is the proper way to approach the King of kings. And as we get close to him, we will naturally enter an atmosphere of unspeakable joy. It does not go with complaining, ingratitude, or badmouth. But those who devote their lives to worshiping God will always have abundant satisfaction.
Man was created for one purpose, which is to give glory to God. When you accomplish this goal, your being is filled with joy for doing what is right, being full, and fulfilling your purpose.
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
Psalms 16:4
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
Conclusion
Concluding this series of posts about the values of God’s Kingdom, I draw your attention to the need for a decision of faith to become part of that kingdom.
By choosing joy, peace and justice, you will be prioritizing the Kingdom of God and will enjoy the promise of Jesus: all the other things will be added to you.
Therefore, receive by faith all that God has prepared for your life and family, from now on and forever.
Prayer: God, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your Kingdom. I choose to live by faith all that You have for me. I declare that from now on I will seek your Kingdom and your righteousness as a priority in my life. I receive your justice, peace and joy in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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