1st Thessalonians 5:16 (TPT);
“Let joy be your continual feast.”
What does it mean to “Feast on Joy?”
“Feasting On Joy” is “Partaking of God’s Strength and Power.” “Divine Joy” is nutrient-dense “Spiritual Soul Food” for the weary Child of God!
DIVINE JOY
“Divine Joy,” consumed by a child of God as a “Continual Feast of Joy,” builds a Stronghold of God’s Protective Presence over our lives.
Nehemiah 8:10 (AMPC);
“Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is Holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the Joy of The Lord is your Strength and Stronghold.”
My friend, there is a profound spiritual revelation from The Holy Spirit Housed within this scripture. An insight that supernaturally dispels grief and depression. The revelation? “THE JOY OF THE LORD is our Strength and Stronghold!” Not a carnal human joy that our emotions must work up! Ezra, the Priest, knows that the children of Israel need more than natural sustenance to overcome the obstacles before them. They need the “JOY OF THE LORD” to be their “Strength and Stronghold!” THE DIVINE GIFT OF JOY THAT GOD GIVES HIS SON JESUS CHRIST AT CALVARY!
GOD’S GIFT OF JOY
“God’s Gift of Joy” will “birth faith within us!”
Hebrews 12:2 (TPT);
“We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus Who Birthed faith within us and Who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because His Heart was focused on THE JOY of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of The Cross and Conquered its humiliation and now sits exalted at the Right Hand of The Throne of God!”
“God’s Gift of Joy” is the Divine Strength and Power that takes Jesus Christ’s Faith through “the agony of The Cross of Calvary.” As “The Sacrificial Lamb of God” (Ref. John 1:29), Jesus Christ “Focuses On Divine Joy.” THE JOY OF HIS FATHER! The result? This “Feast of Joy” “conquers humiliation! Now “grief and depression” cannot steal the Victory of Calvary! My friend, this Supernatural “Grace Gift of Joy” from Father God is now ours through salvation! THANK YOU, JESUS! “God’s Gift of Joy” can bring us through the roughest of waters, as we like Jesus Christ, “Feast on Divine Joy!” This is the picture of “A Heart of Joy,” fully surrendered to The Will of God.
A HEART OF JOY
A “Feast of Divine Joy” produces “A Heart of Joy!” Igniting an appetite to do “The Will of God!”
John 4:34 (TPT);
“Then Jesus spoke up and said, “My Food is to be doing The Will of Him Who sent Me and bring it to completion.”
“A Heart of Joy” Focuses on The Pleasure of “Doing The Will of Him Who Sent Me, and “bringing it to completion.”
“Divine Obedience” is Jesus Christ’s “True Food.” Is it yours?
THE NUTRITION OF DIVINE OBEDIENCE
“The Nutrition of Divine Obedience,” from “Feasting on Joy,” fuels Jesus Christ through the most challenging moment of Calvary. This is where “The Joy of The Lord” becomes “His Strength and Stronghold!” (Ref. Nehemiah 8:10 (b)).
Matthew 27: 45-46 (AMPC);
“Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (three o’clock).” “And about the ninth hour (three o’clock) Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?—that is, My God, My God, why have you abandoned Me [leaving Me helpless, forsaking and failing Me in My need]!.”
My friend, there are many opportunities in life to feel abandoned, helpless, and forsaken; the enemy and our flesh will make sure of it. However, focusing on “Divine Joy” brings The Glory of God onto the scene and dispels grief and depression. I’m describing “Divine Resurrection Joy!” The Focused Joy of our Savior’s Heart as He Pays The Price For Our Salvation! A JOY, SO INTIMATE WITH THE FATHER IT COVERS THE DARKEST OF HOURS!
As we follow Jesus’ example and choose to “Feast On Divine Joy,” we are insulated from grief and depression. How? by focusing on “THE JOY OF THE LORD WHO IS OUR STRENGTH AND STRONGHOLD!” (Ref. Nehemiah 8:10 (b)). This truth makes “Obedience” to “be doing the Will of Him Who sent us” (Ref. John 4:34), a “Divine Joyful Priority” in our lives! Not a burden of performance.
THE BURDEN OF PERFORMANCE
One of the quickest ways to lose our “Divine Joy” is to come under “the burden of performance.”
Galatians 3:3 (TPT);
“Your new life in the Anointed One began with The Holy Spirit giving you a new birth. Why then would you so foolishly turn from living in The Spirit by trying to finish by your own works?”
Even Jesus Christ does not complete His Assignment at Calvary in His Strength, under “The Burden of His Performance.” He Chooses To “Focus On Joy,” “The joy that you would be His” (Ref. Hebrews 12:2 (b)). What makes us think that we are capable of accomplishing God’s Will for our lives” by our works” without “The JOY OF THE LORD BEING OUR STRENGTH AND STRONGHOLD?” (Ref. Nehemiah 8:10 (b).
Are you “Feasting on Joy,” or are you under “The Burden of Performance?”
Asking ourselves this question on an ongoing basis is crucial, my friend because it determines where we have set our gaze and joined our life.
RADIANT JOY
“Radiant Joy” is ours as we stay in union with The Living God.
Psalm 34:5 (TPT);
“Gaze upon Him, join your life with His, and JOY WILL COME. Your face will glisten with Glory. You’ll never wear that shame face again.”
Continually gazing upon Jesus Christ produces a life of “Radiant Joy!” A heart consumed with “The Glory of God!” ” We will “never wear that shame face again!” (Ref. Psalm 34:5 (b). Because “Joy is our continual feast!” (Ref. 1st Thessalonians 5:16).
My friend, may the “Fullness of Joy” reflect in our countenance as we choose to:
“BE STRONG AND LIVE “JOYFULLY” FREE……..BOLDLY FOR HIM!”
Psalm 16:11 (AMPC),
“You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is FULLNESS of JOY, at Your Right Hand there are pleasures forevermore!”
© 2022 Clare Matthews – Boldly For Him. “All Rights Reserved.”
Photo: Brooke Lark
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