JOY IN THE FACE OF CHAOS

JOY IN THE FACE OF CHAOS

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

 

Psalm 119:111 says Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. The word Rejoicing appears 28 times in 28 verses in KJV Bible. To be joyful (i do not mean happy) is an attitude and not a state which is being happy.

No matter the pain or disappointment, trusting in God helps us overcome challenges, turning them into testimonies that bring Him joy. After his trials, Job became significant in the context of God's favour. Reflect on whether the challenges you are experiencing will lead to a positive outcome over time. Will your trust be acknowledged, and will you feel confident as a result?  Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. The soul refers to the inner being, the seat of emotion or passion, and the true essence of an individual. This concept signifies transcending the physical realm and connecting with one's authentic self (your spirit being – soul), regardless of the surrounding challenges and adversities that one may face. You tap into that space and rejoice in it because that is where the TRUST in God lies. Whenever you get to that point you become so secured and unmovable that people wonder what it is with you but you stand on a ROCK (Jesus) which is your salvation – Psalm 62:2. In such a dire situation God gives you a pathway which is his hand so you are not moved because your footing is secured in the Lord Psalm 17:5 - Uphold my steps in Your paths that my footsteps may not slip.

         


Let me break down this scenario to you: the normal method in the old of gaining juice from grapes is by treading on them and those doing the treading do so with lots of Joy because they know what is to come at the end – so is life when you are being trampled and treaded upon be joyful in it because you are in the process of extracting the sweet juice. It is a crucial time that one needs to align to his commandment and his ways to qualify for his intervention unless his grace and mercy is shown towards you.

In the Old Testament, joyful worship was conducted in the temple. However, in the New Testament era, our body and soul are considered the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). This implies that we should maintain a state of perpetual joy in our body, soul, and spirit, as there is joy in the house of the Lord. It is important to recognize that adversities, pain, and sorrow may be inflicted by the enemy to disrupt this state of joy and create a contrary experience with God.

It is our responsibility to render unto God his due Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. It is therefore our obligation and privilege to praise God and be joyful within our soul and body before our Creator the Saviour (Psalm 106:1) 'Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endures for ever. '

The people of Israel when in exile in Psalm 137:2 displayed and sustained public worship but apart from the temple. They hung their harps to express their diminished joy because they could not praise God in a strange land and resumed playing when they were restored Psalm 147:7.

Question is.

·       Are you only joyful when everything is right and going well?

·       Are you joyful when your friends, family and loved ones are on good terms with you?

·       Are you joyful when you succeed in ventures, pitches, examination, marriage, divorce?

·       Are you joyful as a preacher when the congregation is to maximum capacity, offering and tithes are paid in full and on time?

Do we celebrate periods like this only due to environmental factors or our dopamine cravings? In Philippians 4:4 the word of God says Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.

ALWAYS in this context means:

·       In every season – Luke 21:36

·       At every season – Ephesians 6:18

·       In all season – Matthew 28:20

 

Through all circumstances and through all the time be JOYFUL and PRAYERFUL to overcome the CHAOS buffeting all round you.

Let us combine joy and prayer during times of turmoil.

Key takeout is ... Be Joyful & Prayerful!

Amen!!!

  


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