St Johns with St Barnabas

The Joy of the LORD is our strength

 

Recently it struck me how many wonderful passages there are in the Bible around the theme of joy. For example:

The Lord your God is with you,
   the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
   in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
   but will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3 v 17

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I find it encouraging that Father God rejoices over us – and with singing (or even dancing as one interpretation suggests!). However, as we learn from the Bible, God’s nature includes joyfulness. Even God’s creation reflects the nature of the creator as we discover from this, and many other passages.

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You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55 v 12

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Yet, as Christians, we often experience a journey that is punctuated with trials and testing. However, at times like these we understand God to be compassionate, empathetic, and someone who brings comfort.

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Shout for joy, you heavens;
   rejoice, you earth;
   burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people -
   and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49 v 13

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As we continue on into the future as churches being directed and guided by the Holy Spirit:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13