Freedom to Rejoice

God gives joy. When we are His children we are reflecting Him, and He delights in us. God delights in the Jesus in me. If our greatest joy doesn’t come from God Himself we are idolaters. Doesn’t that make you think about your own desires? It’s okay to have joy in this life, I know I do. I am overwhelmed with joy when I’m surrounding by family. But my greatest joy? It should come from God alone. He gives it freely. Everything we need can be found in God. What does that mean to you? Joy and sorrow are connected. I heard it once said, “You don’t have to necessarily rejoice in all your trials, but you should rejoice in the fact that God is with you in those trials.” I’m reminded so often these days about God’s sovereignty, and how everything is purposeful, no matter how hard or difficult. Even in what seems like your darkest moments, you learn. You learn to cry out to God, to humble yourself, to come before him with no pretenses. Beautiful.

Joy is grounded in Jesus. He should be the ultimate Source of all my joy–that way no one has the chance to steal it. Joy is constant, happiness is not. When you strive to find joy in things of this world, it will always come up short. But finding your joy in Christ will last for eternity.

The enemy of joy is the idol of legalism. Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God, justification before God, and acceptance by God through my own obedience to God. Blessings can become idols if we desire to be blessed more than we desire the Blesser. 

These are also things that have the power to kill joy; If I’m aware of my past sin more than the cross. If I’m aware of my godly practices more than the cross.

I don’t think I’m living full joy, unfortunately. There are certain things about my life that I have allow to quench the joy. Stress, worry. But in Jesus is all satisfaction. In Him is all joy and peace. Only in Him
will I always find these things. This past week Meredith Andrews’ song “In Your Arms” has been on repeat. Too many lyrics that are like water to my dry and weary soul. In Jesus is richness. Shutting the world out, closing the door, getting in the silence before God… In His arms, where I will always belong.

“If we are unwilling to talk about our weakness, we are unable to show His strength.”

Hallelujah it’s not about me. Truly. Hallelujah. Thank you, God, for the cross.