Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
“King Saul was returning home after David had defeated Goliath. Women came out from all the towns along the way to celebrate and to cheer for King Saul, and were singing and dancing for JOY with tambourines and cymbals.” 1 Samuel 18:6
The above passage is the first time that the word “joy” is used in the Bible. The Lord had given victory to David; and in doing so the people had been delivered. Joy often comes after some difficult heart wrenching experience that God brings us through.
Our deepest joy has come through Jesus and His suffering. Gethsemane’s flowers shall bloom in Heaven. The fruit of the tree of life comes after the bitter fruit of Calvary, and the crown of life comes after the crown of thorns.
Paul described this great joy as being “unspeakable and full of glory,” and it truly is. The song is true, “If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, let Jesus come into your heart.”
The last time that the word “joy” is found in the Bible is in Jude 24: “…And he is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into his glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting JOY. Amen.”
Joy never leaves a child of God. Like the sun, the clouds may hide it’s smiling light, but we know it is still there, and it will be there when the stormy clouds have long passes away.
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
