Whom
having not seen, ye love;
in
whom, though now ye see
him
not, yet believing,
ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable
and
full of glory.
I
Peter 1:8
Several
years ago, a group of ladies I had taught in a Bible study purchased
a lovely bracelet for me. It's a simple silver chain with crystal
stones on it. In fact there are 14 of them. I have on that bracelet
7 varied color stones that are repeated. The seven stones are
supposed to represent the Fruit of the Spirit. The first stone is a
beautiful red color representing the fruit of LOVE. The very next
stone, clear in color, represents joy...perhaps pure joy. The fruit
is placed in it's intended order via Galatians chapter five teaching.
I hasten to add that the colors of these stones have nothing to do
with Scripture. There are many interpretations of color meanings in
Scripture
I
find it interesting that right after love comes joy. Love is basic
to all the fruit. Every time I wear that bracelet, I glance over at
those various crystals. Galatians, of course, doesn't use the word
fruits in the plural because those spiritual qualities listed work
together as one and they grow in us out of our relationship with
Jesus.
In
Scripture, it is interesting to see in Paul's writing to the
Philippians that he can't seem to help himself through the Holy
Spirit's leading from using the word “rejoice” all of 9 times.
The Philippians were a special people to Paul. Paul had to write to
some churches with words of correction and even disappointment. The
Philippian church wasn't perfect as we can tell by some of the
subjects he addresses, but it was a good church, a generous church.
He encouraged them regularly in this book to be believers of joy.
Paul
in the KJV doesn't use the word JOY in this book, only rejoice.
That's okay. The two words compliment each other in every sense.
Joy is that inner peaceful delight only given by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoicing stems from that inner joy as it is an action word and
demonstrates outwardly that inner quality that seems to just want to
burst out of us sometimes.
Happiness
is a good word, but I'm always hesitant to use it in this context.
In our world today, for everyone saved or unsaved, happiness is a
quality that seems to be dependent on our outward circumstances. As
Christians, there are times our circumstances will not always be
upbeat and problem-free. That's just life, but nothing can rob us of
our inner joy. I've seen Christians in some of the most dire of
events in their lives who, through tears still maintains that sense
of inner joy they have no matter what's going on.
There
is a very familiar verse we have all read and perhaps even claimed
the last part of it. God's people had been far from Him, but were in
the process of coming home and were anxious to hear the Word of God
read to them. It's interesting to see their excitement as they
received the reading. If you and I get away from God, our joy will
be affected. Don't confuse joy and salvation. We can't lose our
salvation, but if we get away from God, our joy can be dampered.
And
Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha,
and
Ezra the priest the scribe, and the
Levites
that taught the people, said
unto
all the people,
“This
day is holy unto the Lord your
God;
mourn not, nor weep. For all
the
people wept, when they heard
the
words of the law.
God's
people had returned home and the Word of God was read to the people.
Many had never heard it but only heard about it. Here they were, as
a people listening and weeping.
Then
he said unto them, Go your way,
eat
the fat, and drink the sweet, and
send
portions unto them for whom
nothing
is prepared: for this day is
holy
unto our Lord:
neither
be ye sorry:
for
the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah
8:10,11
The
people left but came back later wanting more of God's Word. I wonder
when we are exposed to God's Word if we ever weep over it or even get
joy from it. Do we starve as the folks in that day, to hear from the
Lord. In these days, may we find our strength in the joy of the
Lord.
Thank
You, dear Father, for Your Word and for Your Spirit who faithfully
teaches it to us. May we find joy and strength in Your Word and
convict us to tears when need be. In Jesus precious name....Amen
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