BE JOYFUL AND BE HAPPY!

Nehemiah 8:10 For the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Insight and Highlight

Deut 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Scripture Commentaries

To be happy is good and to be joyful is good ref Prov 15:13, 17:22, 25:25

No living person should be void of either joy or happiness. Both bring healing to the bones, Prov 3:8, 15:30

Joy and happiness are used interchangeably and are used in most cases, as the same.

However, it is good to differentiate to help us in evaluating Christian conduct and growth.

They mean different things and it is good to know them as strong indicators of relationships

Many people's motivation is dependent on how happy they are. Many are happy to serve God because they are successful or good things are coming their way.

Many call it quit in the midst of storms.

Many collapses under pressure, lack recognition, etc.

People can be happy yet not be joyful.

These are people whose good disposition to people around them is based on when things are going well with them. The moment things do not go well with them, they shut down.

Joyful people are people whose good disposition to others around them is not dependent on what they have or have not.

Joy flows. Joy is that state of mind which keeps you going in spite of hardship and through the trials of life.

By these indicators, joyful people are also happy people. Happy people may not be joyful people.

Joyful people see God in all they do and His Hands in all their situations. They see all things working together for them because they love God, Rom 8:28.

Joyful people will not murmur nor nurse grudges but happy people may grudge when all is not working as expected.

The Christian clarion duty

Be joyful and be happy. Do not be either but be both.

Call to Word action

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

The Christian clarion duty

Ephesians 6:7 Serve with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men.

Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Prayer

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Lord, may l serve You and Your people, with gladness, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day today.

God bless you.