When I think of parts of my life that I really desire to grow in, the whole area of "joy" is something that often comes up in my thoughts. I am not someone easily described as "joyful" or "thankful" or "warm" - these are all areas in which only the Holy Spirit can help me grow and flourish in. So, kindly enough, God led me to an extended and in-depth study of Philippians, in which I realized only after I had begun that joy was a prominent theme. Reading through what God says about joy, and praying according to God's will for me to cultivate a joyful heart have both been a tremendous encouragement to my soul over the past couple months.
I have noticed four major sources of Christian joy through my readings over the past months. The first is of the kind described in Psalm 51 as the joy of our salvation. The second is joy in the Word of God (Psalm 119:111). The third, the joy of intimacy with God (Psalm 21:6). And finally, having "no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 4) - that is, the joy of seeing our brothers and sisters in Christ demonstrating the work of God in their lives by growing in holiness.
Lord willing, I hope to write some thoughts about each of these sources of joy over the coming weeks. May our God be glorified as we grow in our delight of Him and in what He has done.
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