What is hindering your joy today? Are you going through a difficult season? Are you sad, depressed and worried probably about everything. The season or situation you going through may seem bigger than you can control, you may have failed to find a way or to figure it out. But I just want to remind you that you don’t have to take it all on yourself, you are not alone. You were never met to go through that season or whatever it is alone. You only need to be still and know He is God! refuse to be sad, worried or depressed because of what you see, for God is at work when we don’t see, rather rejoice all the more and take joy in the Lord.
Rejoicing in the Lord means feeling of great pleasure and happiness in the Lord, in Jesus Christ because of who He is,What He has done and what He will do for us. Joy is that emotion we feel when life is good, when we are healthy and happy. So also rejoicing in the Lord, is knowing God as our perfect Father and Jesus Christ as our saviour and treasure and the holy spirit as our comforter and guardian. It means that the Lord is the only one who can give us more lasting pleasure, deeper, sweeter, purer, and gladness than anything this world has to offer.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.
This s a hymn of faith which shows that rejoicing in the Lord always requires faith. When we read the whole chapter we see prophet Habakkuk first acknowledged God of what He had done in the times of Israel. He spoke about God only what he had heard about Him. He spoke of the victories and wonders God had done, and prayed that He would make them known again in his time. Although the works of God were invisible in his time, he prayed and believed that God would bring calamity to the nation that was invading them. He believed God would do wonders in his time too as He had heard Him do for others. Habakkuk waited patiently for that day to come. The testimonies and wonders God had done made him come to know God . Therefore He had known Him as the deliverer from battles, the creator, the saviour, the powerful one and restorer.
Acknowledging God first
Rejoicing in the Lord always amidst circumstances, difficult situations or problems can be very hard, nearly to being impossible. Simply because how can you rejoice while you hurting, how can you be glad while you in pain. It can be so hard that we just end up complaining, walk out on God, or either run away from Him. When we constantly focus on our problems and the situations we face. We can never find joy and peace with ourselves. Instead we always sad, depressed and worried. if we are to find joy in God, we have to acknowledge Him first. we have to recognise Him and His works. we have to know that God is a mighty warrior, a miracle worker, the rock of defence, the refuge in the storm. the deliverer and on and on. and once we know who He really is, we just need to take our eyes from the problem and focus on Him.
A silent season is where nothing good is happening. It can be painful and hurting. It is where everything fails to go as planned or desired and only gets even worse yet you have put in your effort and time and then you realise all is wasted. However our response is what matters. The decision is ours to make in regards to how we feel or handle that season. We can either decide to live miserable or remain joyful however big the mountain is in front of us, because the one who moves mountains is right there with and is for us!. You have to trust that God is in this or with you in every situation. His your strength when you are weak, when you feel like giving up, when you are tired, when you’ve lost all hope, His the one who sustains you, empowers you, keeps you going, makes you strong. You must know that whatever you are facing you are more than a conqueror, you are to win! for the battle is the Lord’s. God wont let you be defeated, He cant watch you fail or break apart.
Philippians 4:4-6
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentlemen be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We have to rejoice in the Lord always, not just when we are happy and everything is going well but rather also when we are sad and depressed. We have to take joy in God in all seasons whether happy or silent or dark. we have to rejoice in God at all times. So whether you going through a difficult time, or situation today, you have to rejoice in the Lord regardless. Your joy shouldn’t be deprived because of circumstances because they do not determine your life but God does. We rejoice even though we facing great challenges because we are victorious through Christ who loved us, because Jesus overcame and so we shall overcome too, because we are delivered and redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Therefore instead of complaining, being unkind, brutal, being with anger or hatred. We should rather be gentle, forgiving, merciful, be understanding, considerate, kind to one another for Jesus is coming back soon.
Instead of being anxious, worried, nervous or uneasy all the time due to the circumstances around you and the situations you going through. You should rather bring them before the Lord, tell God what you want and need, stop worrying and living in depression. Let God know your desires and needs. When you do this, You will experience God’s peace which exceeds all understanding. His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Jesus. The peace of God will bring joy and happiness into your heart and mind. You will be able to rejoice in the Lord continually despite the circumstances you see, because of the peace of God that rules in your heart. This peace will enable you to endure, be hopeful and be patient in all seasons of life you may go through. So take heart and be Joyful in the Lord always.
I pray that the peace of God reigns in our hearts and minds that we may always rejoice in the Lord at all times regardless.
God bless you.
ALL ABOUT JESUS 