Friday 8 November 2013

UNCONDITIONAL JOY

TEXT: HABAKKUK 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no Grapes on the vines, though the Olive crop fails, and the field produce no food, though there are no Sheep in the pen and no Cattle in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Joy is not attached with material things; it is something that comes from our inside, joy flows from within and radiate all over our physical body. Joy in Hebrew language is called Chedvah, it means gladness or rejoicing. Happiness and joy are two different things, joy comes within us, we can be joyful even when there seems no reason for it, you may have joy in the midst of unpleasant situations, you may be joyful without any tangible thing to show for it. Happiness on the other hand has to do with achievement, emotions, mood, when you have favourable circumstance. Happiness comes as a result of physical or tangible things (like material blessings).
As children of the lord most high that owns the heaven, the earth and everything in them, our joy should not be dependent on what we have or what we have achieved. God want us to be joyful even in the midst of trials and hardship, Philippians 4:4 says “rejoice in the lord always, I say it again; rejoice.” When you are in any unpleasant situation; keep rejoicing for we know that greater is he that is in us than he that is the world (1John 4:4). No situation should take away our joy, because our joy comes from within base on the assurance that we have in the lord that He loves us unconditionally.
Our text tells us how believers should always reason concerning being joyful in the lord. Whether you are living in abundance or you are struggling to make ends meet, you need to rejoice in the lord your God while waiting for a change in your situation, He is a just God; He will never leave you in an unpleasant situation. Do not rejoice in the lord only when things are going the way you want them to go, God appreciates it when you rejoice in Him during challenges of life. It shows your level of trust for God! It is possible to have joy through our trials, knowing that God is working on our behalf.

Many believers have allowed the devil to steal their joy from them. They did not see any good things to be joyful for. Their hope for better future is  dashed. Joy is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that all believers should possess. As believers; we should not base our joy on material things but on the love and promises of God. Remember that this world in its present form is passing away (1Corinthians 7:31). Therefore rejoice in the lord always and unconditionally.

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