God's Joy

Paul has written a letter to the saints at Philippi. In it, he tells them that he prays for them. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1: 4. He lets them know that he thanks God for them, each time he remembers them. He assures them that he does not only remember them, but he takes time to pray for them. He is pleased to let them know that he always prays for them with joy. There is no sometimes or at times, praying with joy. He always prays with joy. You know, it is one thing to have people pray for you, but it is prayer on a higher and different level, when they pray for you with joy. This is the joy which only comes to those who love and serve the Lord, through the indwelling, controlling, guiding and leading Holy Spirit.

What is this joy and how does this joy come to be continuous joy in these believers and servants of the Lord? From listening to Paul, we know that he prays for them with joy, at all times. I always pray for you with joy. He does not say, I sometimes pray with joy, or I often pray with joy. No, he is specific in his description, as he openly uses the describing word, always.

Indeed, today and for the remainder of this week, we shall be looking at, listening to, learning from what Paul has told these, his brothers and sisters in the Lord, who live in Philippi. We come to this with eager, learning hearts and minds, all surrendered to Jesus our Lord and Master. We come with full hope and the joy of anticipation, knowing that He who has given this word to us, earnestly and truthfully wants us to know the wonderful strength, peace and utter freedom we all have in prayer, in His unimaginable and indescribable joy.

Let’s take a moment to be refreshed and reminded of some of what Scripture tell us about the joy of our Lord.

The joy of our Lord is our strength. Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8: 10.

The joy of our Lord is fullness in His Presence. You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16: 11

The joy of our Lord brings His peace. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13.

This joy in praying, only comes to believers who truly believe.