Be Joyful, O Earth

“Sing, O heavens; and be Joyful, O earth; and break forth into Singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have Mercy upon his afflicted.”  ~ Isa. 49:13

 What is Joy all about? When is the last time one felt Joy? Be honest, when? And Isaiah cries out under the inspiration of God and calls for Heaven to “Sing and the earth to be Joyful! Joy is mentioned 165 times in Scripture and yet it seems that Joy eludes us most of the time. Could it be that we look for Joy in the things around us rather then in the things of the Spirit wherein Jesus has promised us His Joy? What about His Joy? It is profound to hear the Scripture portray Jesus Joy, and exhort us to Look to Him concerning our Joy. Heb. 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith; who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross …” Jesus endured criticism of His enemies, and admonished us to note that, and to not be weary or faint in our minds when such things happen to us. The only Joy today is “Jesus Joy!” It is only when we consider Him and keep a spiritual mind that we can “endure” to proclaim that Joy reins in our heart, our mind, our soul, and our spirit. It is paramount today that we maintain His Joy! Our world has never been as troubled as it is today. Sin is more rampant then in the days of the Old Testament when God corrected His People time after time. Yet somehow God Graces’ us through His Only Begotten Son! That Grace came with a Sacrificial Price. We opened this brief conversation today with “Sing, O heavens; be Joyful O earth!” Heaven Sings and we are encouraged to be Joyful! In the midst of Heaven’s Singing there is an ultimate reason, and Jesus tells us this great reason: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is Joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth!” [Lk. 15:10] Of course among the rejoicing and great Joy over a sinner coming into the Kingdom, there is rejoicing in the Throne Room as Worship comes forth: Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty! My favorite Singing Scripture is: Zeph. 3:17 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will Save, He will Rejoice over thee with Joy; He will rest in His Love, He will Joy over thee with Singing.”  Scripture is filled with Joy and Joyful! I love Paul’s expression as He declares under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost: “I filled with comfort, I am exceeding Joyful in all our tribulation!” That is truly the Jesus Joy! And this is how it happens … Rom. 15:13 “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.”— O Come, let us Sing unto the Lord: let us make a Joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation.   Joyfully Loving you, Pastor