PRAY WITH JOY

12/8/2023

"Therefore, with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).

There is a big difference between joy and happiness. Many live like a yo-yo: happy one moment because something good happened and sad the next because something bad happened. This is not God's idea for the Christian. God has given us joy, which surpasses happiness, and staying joyful at all times, regardless of circumstances, is only possible when "…we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Joy is not the absence of trouble. Joy is a fruit of the recreated human spirit that allows you to experience peace and happiness regardless of circumstances. Joy is non-negotiable as a Christian. James admonishes us to count it all joy whenever we are faced with trials of many kinds (James 1:2). Why would he say you should stay joyful even in the face of trials? The reason is that we know the end of the story. You win! You won even before you were presented with the challenge because your victory is eternal.

We can learn a lot from the Apostle Paul, who wrote the Book of Philippians in chains, secluded, and under house arrest. If there was anyone who had a "good" reason to complain, it was Paul. He had traveled all over the world, preaching the gospel and liberating lives. He brought the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, and now he was in chains. He could have lamented about how unfairly he felt God was treating him. Many Christians in his shoes would question God's faithfulness. Their prayers would switch from thanksgiving to angry complaints. However, this was not Paul's attitude. He had an attitude of joy. We read in Philippians 1:3-4, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy." Paul understood that suffering for Christ was a privilege and an honor. He counted it all joy. We find him giving thanks to God and praying with joy! He understood the instrumentality of joy in drawing out of the wells of salvation. 

Saints, we need joy to access what grace has made available. God has given us all that we need, but only with joy can we make withdrawals. Joy keeps you strengthened, and the Bible says the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  

Joy quiets any doubts or fears. Joy leaves the devil confused. Only when joy is present can anyone speak the way Paul spoke. In Philippians 1:12-14, we hear Paul say, "but I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Paul rejoiced that his temporal discomfort was for the furtherance of the gospel! 

As a Christian, you do not lack joy. Joy was well-packaged in your re-created spirit when you were born again. However, to unlock this joy that you already possess, you must first give yourself to the Word, meditating on who God is. When you understand who God is, you will experience joy and peace. When you understand who it is that gave you His Word, you will rest and rejoice. Then, remind yourself of what God has done in times past. Remind Him of His eternal Word, speaking His Word back to Him. Then, rejoice in the Lord, knowing His Word is true and eternal. Then, pray with an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude.  

Lastly, cast your cares upon Him, and when you do so, do not take them back. So many Christians have no problem casting their cares on God. However, after doing so, they retrieve the cares and problems and continue to bear the burden. They tell you that they gave it to the Lord but keep talking about it as if nothing happened. Essentially, they notified God of their problems but never gave them to Him or took them back with their confessions.

Child of God, as you pray today, irrespective of prevailing situations, acknowledge God as the Almighty. Be thankful. Testify of His goodness in your life. Confess His eternal Word, and cast your cares upon Him. Then, enjoy His joy, peace, and rest.

God bless you!

Faith-filled Confession

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Irrespective of circumstances, I remain joyful because my joy is eternal. Hallelujah!

Prayer Points:

Psalm 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you."

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

• Pray against plans to use the crises in Israel to launch other attacks in the United States.

• Pray for Washington and all who are in positions of authority in the United States.

One-Year Reading Plan: Daniel 1-2; 1 John 2