Joy in Christ

Today I will be discussing joy in Christ for believers.  It is something we must have whether we are going through  good times or bad times.  James says in verse 1:2, "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds for you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  He wants us to cling to joy through the trials of our life.  It is something we must do if we are to grow in faith in him.  It is also necessary if we are the mature in Christ.  Psalm 30:5 also discusses clinging to in such hard times.  "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may remain in the night, but joy comes in the morning."  The last verse I want to discuss about joy is Nehemiah 8:10.  Here it is: Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  The Israelites had not celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles with so much joy since the days of Joshua.  Earlier in the chapter the Israelites worshiped as Ezra read the book of the Law aloud as he faced the square before the Water Gate.  The people could take joy in that they were back in their native land of Jerusalem.  God has blessed them and led them back.   The point of all these verses is to look back on how joy is used in both good times and bad to bring about a greater result in our life.  It is something we have to cling to despite whatever is going on in our life.  Something we can't let go of even though I do let go of it at times and other times I cling to it.  It becomes a hard battle inside of us.  It is one of the fruits of the spirit- Galatians 5:22-23.  That is the main reason why we can't let go of joy despite what season we are going through in our life.  I can't put my finger on how necessary it is to have at all times.