09/27/2026
The Joy of the Lord
by Barbara Scott
Joy is a fruit that comes from God's Spirit. It isn't an emotion. It comes from abiding in the presence of God.
Galatians 5:22 NLT: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
We are going to look at the account of when the Jewish people who had been in captivity in Persia had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. They had enemies on every side trying to stop them. They had to work with one hand while they held their sword in the other hand. It was a difficult and dangerous time.
When we are working on an assignment from God, it makes the Devil mad, and he tries everything he can to stop us. If we become emotionally affected by the enemies around us, we become weak and fearful. In our world, there are enemies on every hand: political upheaval, wars, financial problems, rebellion, riots, hurricanes, fires, and contagious diseases. When our society is disrupted, people feel overwhelmed.
God wants us to praise Him during the battle, for the battle is not ours but the Lord's. We can't allow the negative emotions of fear, anger, and confusion to weaken us. When we put our trust in God and worship Him, He fights our battles for us and directs us in what we need to do. During an onslaught of demonic activity, it is of great importance that we hear what God, through His Spirit, has to say! It is vital to keep your attention on the Lord.
We discern Satan's schemes, but we listen to and follow God's instructions. He tells us His plans to encourage us and to solicit our partnership with Him in the release of those plans. Prayer activates this partnership between God and His children.
God is saying to His people, "Keep your focus on what I'm saying and doing, not on what the enemy does. I have great plans for you! I have great plans for your children. I have plans for America and the nations - and My plans will succeed! Rejoice in this! Put your faith in My words!
Standing in the gap is to stand between what is and what God wants. We are standing in the gap for our families, our community, our nation, and our world. Ships don't sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets into them.
Don't let what is happening around you get inside of you and weigh you down. During some of my battles, I have let the storm's water get inside me. Then I had to bail it out. Stagnant water starts to stink after a while. When I was overwhelmed, I had to remember that He is with me... His joy is with me.
Isaiah 43:2 NLT: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
In Nehemiah 8:10, when the Jews finished their assignment of rebuilding Jerusalem, Jeremiah called the people together for a feast and said, "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 61:2: "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
The following passage talks about the captives in Nehemiah returning home to Jerusalem.
Psalms 126:1-6 NLT: "When the LORD brought back His exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest."
When we seek the Lord and obey Him, He brings us back to our rightful place and restores what the enemy has stolen. See Psalms 37:1-13. We need to determine to rejoice in the Lord, no matter what is happening. Our praise and focus on the Lord will carry us to victory. See Isaiah 12:2-6 and Habakkuk 3:17-28.
Don't lose your joy! Joy is the bucket you use to draw water from the wells of salvation. The wells of salvation include healing, peace, blessing, strength, and prosperity. Joy will draw what we need to the surface. Need more Joy? Read these verses: Psalms 16:11, 27:6, 28:7, 34:8; Proverbs 17:22; Isaiah 29:18-19, 61:1-3; Jeremiah 33:3-11; Habakkuk 3:18; Romans 5:2-5; Philippians 4:4; James 1:2-4; I Peter 1:8
