Joy Part II

I wanted to clarify that in talking about living a lifestyle of joy, I don't mean to imply that trials and tribulations won't come; they will. Tragedy will come. But we have access to joy in the midst of adverse circumstances. The Lord has opened the door for us to drink continuously from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). He has granted us the ability to count it all joy when we fall into various trials (James 1:2). And, once again, joy is an emotion. I believe as we tap into the river of joy flowing from His side we will literally experience joy. We will experience "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness." Because in His  presence there is fullness of joy, and at his right hand are pleasures forever more (Psalm 16:11).


The Beatitudes in the Common English Bible look like this: "Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad," etc. And in the Good News translation it says: "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!"


Psalm 144: 15 says "... Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." And in The Message Psalm 16:9-10 says: "I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. You cancelled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination!" Wow! Isn't that good?


Here's another goodie from The Message: "When the righteous see God in action they'll laugh, they'll sing, they'll laugh and sing for joy. Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider. Enjoy God, cheer when you see him!" (Psalm 68:3-4) Dang. I can't even begin to describe how good this passage is. We are actually told to "enjoy God!" Wow! We are told to "cheer when we see him!" To laugh, to sing! Sounds like joy, doesn't it?


I'm not even scratching the surface of joy/happy verses, but I wanted to give you a taste. Yes, we will experience trials and tribulations, but our experience of joy will be greater. Yes, we will grieve, but in the midst of mourning, God will make us happy! He will make us glad! There's so much more to add to this topic. So many goodies in the Good Book! And, please, feel free to comment. Add your voice. Share some insights. Selah


- Jesse