The Joy of My Salvation

[Anja]

The secret of joy begins when you surrender yourself to the Lord. David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation”

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
11. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
12. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13. Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You
Psalm51:10–13

I think the reason David prayed this prayer was he had become increasingly distracted and disconnected from God and realize his situation. The story of David and Bathsheba had to have been what started it off. It is one of the most dramatic accounts of where sin leads us in the Old Testament. It lead to both adultery and murder plus the devastating effects on his children. In total, four of David’s sons suffered untimely deaths.

In the account of David and Bathsheba, we find many lessons. First, secret sin will be found out. Second, God will forgive anyone who repents. That's eternal security. Third, sin’s consequences remain even when the sin is forgiven.

 

[Overjoyed]

The Bible teaches that sickness can be a consequence of sin.

And behold, they brought to Him a man paralyzed and prostrated by illness, lying on a sleeping pad; and when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven and the penalty remitted. Matthew 9:2

I think AIDS Is a good modern day example.

 

[Overjoyed]

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Losing your joy is no joke. Happened to me once back in the '80s and luckily I had a Christian brother who noticed and asked me what was wrong. I told him I was bummed out and he said you've lost your joy. I became his project he was going to make sure I got my joy back. I'm so grateful to him because now I have a good understanding how that works.

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

This is one of those biblical imperatives, and it leaves no room for not rejoicing, for Paul says Christians are to rejoice always—not sometimes, periodically, or occasionally. He then adds, “Again I will say, Rejoice”

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

The key to the Christian’s joy is its source, which is the Lord. If Christ is in me and I am in Him, that relationship is not a sometimes experience. We are always in the Lord and the Lord is always in us, and that is always a reason for joy

 

[Aeliana]

@Overjoyed

I'm glad you have a good understanding of joy.

Since joy is a fruit of the Spirit, our sanctification is displayed not only by our love, peace, patience, kindness, and so forth, but by our joy. We must not forget that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is not the same as the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Joy]

Gratitude leads to joy and true gratitude is not an incidental ingredient. And it's not a standalone product, something that never actually intersects with life, safely denying reality out on its own little happy island somewhere. No, gratitude has a big job to do in us and in our hearts. And it is one of the chief ways that God infuses joy and resilience into the daily struggle of life.

The importance of this matter of gratitude can hardly be overstated. I’ve come to believe that few things are more becoming in a child of God than a grateful spirit. By the same token, there is probably nothing that makes a person more unattractive than the absence of a grateful spirit.
I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways:

I can whine–or–I can worship!And I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible.

When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.

On the other hand, when we give in to whining, murmuring, and complaining, we end up on a destructive slide that ultimately leads to bitterness and broken relationships.

The consequences of an ungrateful spirit are not as readily seen as, say, those of a contagious disease. But they are no less deadly. Western civilization has fallen prey to an epidemic of ingratitude. Like a poisonous vapor, this subtle sin is polluting our lives, our homes, our churches, and our culture.

A grateful man or woman will be a breath of fresh air in a world contaminated by bitterness and discontentment. And the person whose gratitude is a byproduct of and a response to the redeeming grace of God will showcase the heart of the gospel in a way that is winsome and compelling.

So unless you just love the way duty feels when it wakes you up at three in the morning, or hijacks your plans for your day off, or hands you an unexpected bill that wasn’t in the budget this month, don’t try living the Christian life without gratitude. By sheer willpower and effort, you may succeed at “gutting out” right responses, but your Joy will be nonexistent.

 

[Apain]

Joy Joy Overflowing

Overflowing joy is a profound and abundant sense of happiness and contentment that surpasses ordinary human experience. In the biblical context, this joy is often associated with the presence of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the spiritual realities of the Christian faith.

Biblical Foundations

The concept of overflowing joy is deeply embedded in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, joy is frequently linked to God's deliverance and blessings. For instance, in Psalm 16:11, the psalmist declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This verse highlights the joy that comes from being in the presence of God, a joy that is both fulfilling and eternal.

In the New Testament, the theme of joy is further developed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In John 15:11, Jesus tells His disciples, "I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." Here, Jesus emphasizes that His joy is meant to be shared with His followers, leading to a complete and overflowing joy.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the experience of overflowing joy. In Galatians 5:22, the Apostle Paul lists joy as one of the fruits of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." This joy is a supernatural result of the Spirit's work in the believer's life, transcending human understanding and circumstances.

Joy in Trials

Overflowing joy is not limited to times of prosperity and peace; it is also present in the midst of trials and suffering. James 1:2-3 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This perspective is rooted in the understanding that trials refine faith and produce spiritual maturity, leading to a deeper and more resilient joy.

Expressions of Overflowing Joy

Overflowing joy is often expressed through worship, praise, and thanksgiving. The Psalms are replete with examples of joyful worship, as seen in Psalm 100:1-2: "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs." Such expressions are a natural outpouring of a heart filled with the joy of the Lord.

Eternal Joy

The ultimate fulfillment of overflowing joy is found in the promise of eternal life with God. Revelation 21:4 speaks of a future where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This vision of eternal joy is the hope and assurance for all believers, a joy that will never fade or diminish.

In summary, overflowing joy is a central theme in the Christian life, deeply rooted in the presence of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life. It is a joy that transcends circumstances and is expressed through worship, perseverance, and the anticipation of God's eternal promises.

BibleHub

 

[Joy]

Big. Small. Long-term. Everyday. There are so many things about our individual life experiences that occupy our thoughts, feed our fears, and add to our worries. Whether we’re out driving somewhere, or trying to sneak a nap, or attempting to pay attention to the pastor’s sermon, all this “yuck” hangs on us like a spider web we can’t seem to brush off.

I can try everything I can think of to deal with it. I can build my cases against the people who cause me the most grief in life. I can seek out the supportive shoulders that are offered to let me air our complaints and annoyances.

But still sometimes I sink into escape patterns, just trying not to think about it. I pour myself into my work in an attempt to avoid dealing with more important things.

But most likely, no matter how I try to cope with difficulty and disappointment, underneath it all is the heart’s cry that keeps so many of us from experiencing God’s best in our situations. With the promises of God still in force–even in the midst of aching pain and struggle–with His peace and presence still available to those who rely on Him, I too often choose to find our solace in these two plaintive words: “Why me?”

How often have you clung to this tart complaint, hoping to draw from it enough strength to protect your heart from further danger and damage?

“Why is life so hard?”
“Why can’t other people just be normal?”
“Why did this have to happen to me?”
“Why won’t anybody love me for who I am?”
“Why isn’t God answering my prayers?”
“Why do I have to live alone like this?”
“Why doesn’t the Bible work for me like it does them?”
“Why does this problem never seem to end?”
“Why am I supposed to just accept this?”
“Why me?”

Feeling betrayed. Feeling left out. Feeling inferior … mistreated … underappreciated. Like a whirlpool spinning around in never-ending circles, tugging and draining and pulling us down with every sweep of self-pity, we can sink lower and lower into ourselves, into our problems.

So how do I keep my joy? More will be reviled.

 

[Joy]

PRAISE THE Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, praise Him in the assembly of His saints!
2 Let Israel rejoice in Him, their Maker; let Zion’s children triumph and be joyful in their King!
3 Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
5 Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds.
Paslm149:1–5.

 

[Joy]

Gratitude consists in a watchful, minute attention to the
particulars of our state, and to the multitude of God’s gifts,
taken one by one … . And all our whole life is thereby … filled with a
gladness, serenity, and peace which only thankful hearts can know.
H. E. MANNING1

The way the story goes, a Hungarian man went to the local rabbi and complained, “Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?”

The rabbi answered without hesitation, “Take your goat into the room with you.”
The man looked back at him as if he’d certainly misunderstood. But he hadn’t. “Do as I say,” the rabbi insisted, “and come back in a week.”

Seven days later, the man returned, looking more distraught than before. “We can’t stand it!” he said to the rabbi. “That goat is filthy!”
“Then go home and let the goat out,” the rabbi answered.
“Come back again in a week.”

It was a radiant Hungarian who returned to the rabbi the following week. His whole demeanor spelled relief and refreshment. “How are you now?” the rabbi asked.
“Life is beautiful,” the man answered. “We enjoy every minute now that there’s no longer any goat–only the nine of us.”

It’s all in how you look at it.
It’s a matter of attitude.

There’s a buzzword used today to describe what takes place when a person adjusts the thought patterns that have become ingrained into his or her emotional makeup. It’s called: “attitudinal change.” It’s a fancy way to say that new behaviors start with new mind-sets. The pathway to personal transformation requires a change in perspective.

I’d like to coin a new word for those who may be deficient in the gratitude department (which includes all of us from time to time).

I’m calling for “gratitudinal change.”
That’s because I want you to live in the fullness of your relationship with God, not hindered and hamstrung and holding Him at arm’s length, but experiencing Him richly. Feeling at home in His presence.

I don’t want you to be destroyed by the inevitable downturns of life–with no answer for the darts of unfair, unpleasant circumstances–a walking bull’s-eye, just waiting for the next arrow to be shot in your direction. I want you to find the God-given reserve to stand strong in the midst of confusing, condemning onslaughts of opposition. I want your head up, lifted by the empowering Spirit of God within you, even when everything else within you is calling for a week in bed with the lights out and the blinds drawn.

I want your story to be rewritten into a tale of God’s grace, one that He uses to help you be an effective minister of His hope and healing to those who are walking the same kind of path. I want you to be so available to His Spirit’s leading, so aware of others’ needs, and so willing to be open and genuine, that God takes the things Satan meant for evil and transforms them into things of value.

No one expects you to be superhuman. And certainly no one should ever make you feel as though gaining victory over your hardships requires acting like they don’t exist, as if refusing to speak about them or make reference to them will cut off their blood supply. These losses or failures or injustices done against you are real. They are not dependent on your acknowledgment of them in order to breathe and attack. But just as certainly, they are no match for the greater plans and purposes of God. And when He is given room to work His will within you, He can be the One who puts the “supernatural” into your responses and reactions.

Joni Eareckson Tada