Being joyful for what God has done uplifts us and helps us focus on the Lord, not ourselves. I remember visiting one of our homebound people years ago. Each time I saw him, he was thankful that the Lord would take him to heaven one day. In many ways, this believer focused on the Lord going ahead of him and his future, not on his health’s difficulties.
The Apostle Paul tells us how important it is to focus on good things. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.[1] What if, each day, you began focusing on good things and being joyful about what God has done?
The Israelites were Joyful as the Temple was Being Rebuilt
The Babylonians destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, but through God’s blessings, the people of God were able to begin to rebuild it. After seventy years of captivity, King Cyrus of Persia let the people return. He also would work through the people to provide the resources for the Temple.
God moved the people’s hearts as they rebuilt the Temple. Ezra 3:10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. [2]
Can you imagine how uplifting this time of praise and joyful shouting affected the people rebuilding the Temple? The same thing happens when we praise the Lord for all He is doing.
You Can be Filled with Joy
Paul tells us in Galatians chapter five that joy is a fruit of the spirit. We all want to be around joyful people, and you can be one of them! As believers in Jesus, joy is not found in material things or what we have done but in Jesus, our Savior.
People may confuse joy with happiness. Happiness can quickly change depending on our situation, but joy does not depend on that. Joy is how we respond to our problems; we focus on the Lord, not ourselves. The Psalmist in Psalm 16:11 speaks about finding joy in the Lord’s presence. Our relationship with Jesus as our Savior is our greatest joy. He gave His life for us on the cross at Calvary so we could have a relationship with Him and experience true joy. The joy our heavenly Father gives us is truly a gift.
To learn more about being joyful for what God has done, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/journey-return
[1] The New King James Version (Php 4:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ezr 3:10–11). Tyndale House Publishers.