Notice verses in the Bible that encourage us to be joyful Christians…
Psalm 32:11 – Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 9:14 – I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Psalm 35:9 – …my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 12:3 – …with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18 – Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Luke 10:20 – …rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Phil. 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Many Christians have lost the joy. They cannot rejoice in the Lord and they don’t shout the victory. Yet, that is where our strength in the Christian life comes from. “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
For people to be fulfilled in life, they must serve the purpose of their creation and design. We were created and designed to worship and serve and have fellowship with God. Outside of that purpose and design, there will be no real joy.
King David lost his joy, and in Psalm 51:12 he prayed to God – “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.”
One man said: “The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself.” The great English preacher, Spurgeon, said: “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
Have you lost your joy? Have you lost your shout of victory?
Christian, if you don’t have the joy of the Lord and the joy of your salvation today…
1. Could it be that your BIBLE STUDY is being NEGLECTED? Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
In Psalm 119, just about every verse contains some thought about the word of God!! Notice these verses... 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 77 …thy law is my delight. 174 …thy law is my delight.
Psalm 1:1, 2 – 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
A born again Christian derives pleasure and happiness from the word of God. A born again child of God obtains gladness and joy from the word of God.A Spirit-filled believer gains great satisfaction from the word of God. The apostle John wrote: “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:4)
Delight thyself in the word of God, and you will experience the joy of the Lord and the joy of your salvation.
2. Could it be that your PRAYER LIFE is being NEGLECTED? Isaiah 56:7 – Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
3. Could it be that your SOULWINNING EFFORTS are being NEGLECTED? Psalm 126:5, 6 – 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Luke 15:6, 7 – 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
4. Could it be that your SPIRITUAL WALK is being NEGLECTED? Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Galatians 5:16, 25 – 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [see context regarding the “fruit of the Spirit” being: love, JOY, peace, etc.]
Ephesians 4:30– And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [See the context, vss. 25-32]
Could it be that you are grieving the Holy Spirit and limiting His ministry in your life, and that is why you lack the joy of your Saviour and His Salvation?
5. Could it be that your CHRISTIAN SERVICE has been NEGLECTED? Psalm 100:2 – Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Acts 20:24 – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
1 Cor. 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Chronicles 22:16 – Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
1 Chronicles 26:30 – …in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
Romans 12:11 – Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
If instead of neglecting these things you begin to attend to and give heed to these things, you can have the joy of the Savior, of His Salvation, and of His Soon Return.