Filled With Joy

So the women hurried away from the

tomb, afraid yet filled with joy…

                   Matthew 28:8 NIV 

…the joy of the LORD is your strength.

                   Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in

your presence there is fullness of joy…

                   Psalm 16:11 ESV 

…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy

comes with the morning.
                   Psalm 30:5 ESV 

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises

to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.

                   Psalm 71:23 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

you my abound in hope.

                   Romans 15:13 ESV

     Have you ever lost your joy in the Lord? Have you walked through circumstances that struck your heart with so much fear that that even breathing became a difficult task? Has heartache stolen your joy or sadness preoccupied your mind so that you think of nothing but what you have lost? Are you afraid that life will never return to normal?

     I have good news! God knows where you are, and He will not leave you in a joyless place. His Word is life and filled with joy and hope. Even in the midst of death and fear, there was joy as the women left the empty tomb to tell the disciples their resurrection experience. Nehemiah reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

     The Psalms declare there is fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord and that although we weep for a night, joy comes in the morning. I refuse to forget that in the midst of my darkest hour, the love of Christ shines a light to guide me through the blackness.

     If you are presently walking through a place of sorrow or fear, run to Jesus. He is the Redeemer—of your soul and your joy. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Sing praise. Read God’s Word. Your joy is not lost forever. It is simply tucked away in a corner of your heart waiting to be uncovered so you can once again be filled with joy.

 

© Joyce Powell