Joy is Not Optional

As I was worshipping and reading the Word this morning, I was struck by "JOY". The joy of enjoying Jesus, acknowledging His greatness, His intimate knowledge of me, His sovereign power and majesty, His beauty that is displayed day after day in nature. The messianic Psalm 45 says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (v. 6-7) Oil was used for healing, for perfume to make a lovely scent, for anointing kings and declaring their calling. Jesus' kingdom reigns with the oil of joy. Doesn't that just lift your spirit? Doesn't your heart cry for more joy?

The accuser of our heart, Satan, tries to kill our passion, steal our joy and keep our eyes on ourselves by making the troubles of our present day seem bigger than they really are. By making them the focus, we are practicing the presence of the fall, which is nothing but darkness and there is not joy there! Contrast the eternal light of Christ, where our hope and joy comes from. To have this, we must intentionally keep our eyes on Jesus, to abide in Him to maintain an eternal perspective with a quieted heart and be filled with joy that the world may know there is more than they see...there is Jesus, the light of our salvation, the hope of the nations and the true source of JOY!

Jesus said, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:11) To live for Christ in this world then, joy is not optional! Because it is a treasure and promise of His kingdom, it is a "must have" to make a difference in this cynical, self-centered dark world...LIGHT/JOY shines brightest where is it darkest! May your joy be complete in Jesus and overflow with passion to others!

God invites us to "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you. (Others) will come to your light...to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:1-3.