“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” – Romans 12:12
This past week, I taught my Sunday school class about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is circumstantial, whereas joy is independent of what is happening around or to us. Therefore, when “rejoicing in hope,” we have the continual joy in us that is founded upon the hope of our salvation in Jesus Christ. No matter what is going on in our world, our homes, or our jobs, the joy of the Lord remains unfazed. Philippians 4:4 tells us, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Knowing Christ as one’s Saviour brings us eternal joy in our souls!
Because we have the joy of the Lord, we can endure through the difficulties of life. Through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we can patiently go through the tribulations of every day living, whether it be something minor, major, or even catastrophic. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to be patient, but with the understanding that God is always with us and will deliver us from all situations, we can purpose in our hearts to be long-suffering to whatever comes our way, trusting God to take care of us. Psalm 40:1 records David’s words, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” God will hear, and He will deliver.
Lastly, due to the joy in our souls and the patience we have to get through life’s trials and tribulations, we should be in constant communion with God, and we do that through prayer. Does that mean we need to spend all of our days on our knees? No, but we should have a heart with an attitude of devotion that is steadfast in prayer. That is, we should have an almost sub-conscious attitude toward prayer, where in our daily activities it is as natural to talk with God as it is to speak with another individual. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing,” and with His joy in our hearts, and His promise of always keeping us in His protective hand, we should always be in sweet communion with Him, 24/7, through prayer.
Because we have the joy of the Lord, assurance of deliverance from tribulations, and an open line of communication with the Almighty God, we can rejoice and be glad every day of our lives!
There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.
(from “Near to the Heart of God” by Cleland B. McAfee)
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13
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It’s good to be a child of God!
AMEN! Thank you for the reminder of Psalm 40:1.
I enjoy the song “Near to the Heart of God” — ahhh! A place of quiet rest!
This is wonderful and affirms a workshop I taught at a conference on the Holy Spirit during the summer of 1994 at Chapman College. It was called “Joy Amidst The Pain” and shared my personal journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from 1985 to 1991, that though I was under “physical siege,” I lived with the joy of knowing that I belonged to the Lord and would some day be with him. Some of my praise and worship time with Jesus lifted me out of “circumstances.” Psalm 22:3 “The Lord inhabits [is enthroned upon] the praises of his people.” Psalm 16:11 “In your presence there is fullness of joy.”