Joy Has Expression!

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:7-8).

Our opening text is an account of events in Samaria when Philip, the evangelist, preached Christ in the city. The power of God’s Word prevailed mightily, such that many were healed and set free from demons. The result was that the city erupted in joy. The Bible specifically records that there was great joy in that city. Continue...

How do you know that someone is joyful? Through their expressions! Joy has expressions. Laughter is an expression of joy. Praising God—being exultant and exuberant with praise to Him—is an expression of joy. Singing songs of praise in thanksgiving is an expression of joy. The Bible says, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13).Express your joy in the Lord.

Joy is one of the fruits of the recreated human spirit (Galatians 5:22); therefore, your joy as a child of God should be independent of circumstances. It shouldn’t be based on what's happening to you or around you; it shouldn't have anything to do with what others say or do to you. You can be joyful in the midst of trouble.

Paul and Silas were cast into prison, persecuted for preaching the Gospel. Nevertheless, “At midnight,” (it doesn't get darker than it gets at midnight), they prayed and sang praises to God, and the other prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).

They expressed their joy, and the result was a supernatural jail break. God shook up the prison, broke their bands and flung the gates open. They remained joyful in adversity, and gave expression to their joy.

You must learn to give expression to your joy. Always be cheerful and exuberant with praise, knowing that it takes a joyful and happy person to make others joyful and happy. If you're not joyful, you can’t effectively preach the Gospel and win others to Christ.

PRAYER

I thank you Father for making my life a bundle of joy and happiness. Your joy in my heart is my strength, and with joy, I draw out prosperity, peace, success, health and other blessings from deep within me today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Job 5:22 - At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

2 Chronicles 20:22 - And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Isaiah 12:2 - Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Extract From: Rhapsody of Realities, 21/11/2014