The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks. (Matthew Henry)
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Make the joy of the Lord your strength
The world in which we live is a fallen word and is on a collision course with the consequences of its wrong actions. That’s why don’t put your trust in the world to make you strong but rather on something that is strong, pure and never changes.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
People may think by getting a masters degree that they can become wise but in truth even they can be tricked by fraudsters or be intimidated by those in power over trivial things. That’s why don’t depend on your understanding of things, but rather trust in the Lord God with all your heart. So when your heart is in the Lord you don’t need to dwell in fear.
If are willing to be taught by God you are doing a favour to yourself. One of the wisest things things you can ever do is to be believe in the Word of God. Hence in all your ways acknowledge the Lord God and he will make straight your paths.
And in matters of the heart, mind and soul make the joy of the Lord your strength. Don’t depend on the minions of false opinions that your come across social media for your emotional health but instead have unwavering trust in the Lord.
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
No matter how bad the challenges or troubles you face don’t get stuck so much into grief, that you lose track of yourself and fade away. The best way to counter grief is to make the joy of the Lord your strength. You may find this easy to follow or hard but what matters is that you focus enough on the Lord regardless of the circumstances and get your strength from God.
One practical suggestion about making the joy of the Lord your strength is read his Word, pray to God and praise God!
Verses for reflection:
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.(Psalm 46:1-3)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10)
Rejoice in the Lord (Video with lyrics)
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.
I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
(The above lyrics are by Ron Hamilton)
The joy of the Lord
Cherish the Resurrection
Cherish Jesus Christ’s glorious resurrection,
With thanksgiving, praise and affection.
Be glad that death he overcame,
So our life won’t be the same.
Jesus by his resurrection did defeat,
The devil at every throne and seat.
God’s great love is stronger than death,
That Christ for us gave up his spirit and breath.
Jesus Christ on the cross paid the price,
For all our sins, immorality and vice.
And before he died he said, “It is finished”,
He did as prophesied of him, undiminished.
Cherish Jesus Christ’s glorious resurrection,
And daily on it have your reflection.
Know that your life in Christ Jesus is new,
Let your praises to him to be not few.
And at the time of the Day of Judgement’s inspection,
Only those faithful will be reckoned with perfection.
Because in the Gospel and resurrection they’ve believed,
And unto the end they remain undeceived.
Be prayerful and desire the first resurrection,
To be in the Lamb’s Book of Life’s selection.
In which Christ will wipe your tears sad,
So that you remain in his presence ever glad.
Much rejoicing in heaven
Of the things I know of the holy beings above,
Is the fact the God they serve is truly love.
These are things that I must say,
So that more people know the way.
Joy and peace there is in abundance,
And absolutely no spiritual redundance.
There is joy, hope and peace,
Without any trace of disease.
They suffer no hunger nor sadness nor thirst,
Because they’ve kept God their only and first.
They have not a worry nor a care,
No can harm them nor give them a dare.
But one thing on earth does their interest in truth provoke,
Which are the one’s who take Christ’s burden and yolk.
There is much rejoicing in heaven all about,
Over a sinner who has in repentance come out.
When you heart is overwhelmed do you turn to the Lord?
Those who believe in Christ and are facing situations that overwhelm them should turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. They should never resort to sinful pleasures to get a so called relief from pain of the heart and spirit. Why should one ruin one’s afterlife just to get some immoral pleasure? Obviously the answer is deception; self-deception for some and deception from the Evil One for others. Whichever be the reason, one thing is sure, that those who trust the Lord God must turn to him whenever their hearts are overwhelmed.
Once you call upon the Lord don’t stop at that. Rather listen to God. Hear him out in the Spirit and in the Holy Scriptures. Ask the Lord to guide you by his Spirit as you pay attention to his Word.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live. (Isaiah 55: 1-3)
When people get into sorrow,
Some act like there’s no tomorrow.
These get it wrong and get into vice,
They act like sin pleasure will suffice.
They are wrong all abundant,
Sin makes one spiritually redundant.
Instead cry out to the Lord and be pure,
The grace of God will help you overcome and endure.
Bible verses to live by:
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the refuge of Thy wings. Selah. For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows; Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name. (Psalm 61:1-5)
I do not trust in my bow nor my sword
You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. (Psalm 44:4-7)
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. (Psalm 5:11)
Weapons can be used to protect yourself against evil doers. However be humble in the fact that for some people even their weapons didn’t protect them. This is not a call to throw away your right to self-defense but rather to trust in God for your protection. For earthly weapons only protect against earthly beings. In the spiritual realm where evil spirits and curses abound, where wicked spells are spoken you can’t fight them on your own. You need the protection of the Lord God. In moments of danger call upon the name of the Lord Jesus in faith. Ask him to send God’s angels to protect you from your foes both mortal and eternal. Trust in God at all times and take refuge in him.
Disciples of hope 