The Bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10). It is a gift to us and in us from Jesus (John 15:11) and a fruit of the Holy Spirit inside of us (Gal 5). Joy is such a powerful gift we have access to, but also seems to be a hard one to walk in and rest in when circumstances and our emotions seem to give us so many others options that seem to steal that joy. So how do we help our mind and soul walk in joy?
We remind ourselves who God is, what He has done in the past, and the promises still to be seen. Jeremiah says in Lamentations, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope (Lam 3:21)." David uses similar language in many of his Psalms, "My soul is cast down within me, therefore I remember you (Ps 42)." We are to build ourselves up in the Lord as David did countless times when circumstances were bleak and heavy (1 Sam 30:6). We do not need to be filled with condemnation when joy is not felt naturally, it is simply an opportunity to renew our mind. We have the gift of a Book full of testimonies of God's faithfulness time and time again. We are invited to bring them to mind and reflect on them, giving the Lord glory and encouraging our own hearts. More than just reflecting on His faithfulness long ago, we are to call to mind the times He has been faithful in our own lives and seasons and to not forget the words and promises spoken that are still to come (1 Tim 1:18-19). Spending time reflecting on the ways the Lord has been faithful not only builds up our hope and restores our joy, but also gives us a bigger picture. We are a part of a larger story. Often the Lord would give promises to a generation that is seen fulfilled generations after (i.e. the promised land, the restoration of Israel, the coming of a Savior, the coming back of that same Savior)(Heb 11:39-40). The places we put our hands to today are building upon generations of sewing of God's Kingdom. We do our own sewing also for future generations to see fruitful harvest of His faithfulness. So will you join me today in this prayer:
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."