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| PentecostalTheology.com
JOY OF THE LORD – LOOK TO THE CROSS – Ray E Horton
“The Key to Happiness!” I just read an excellent article posted by my daughter. Jeannette.
“So, when we seek happiness, we need look no farther than the cross. It isn’t feelings that we need. What we need is hope.” Amen! And we can experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of adversity and suffering. Happy feelings are fleeting, but the joy of knowing Jesus and what He did for us, gives us hope and establishes us and makes us strong.
Hope brings joy
Happy feelings are fleeting, but the joy of knowing Jesus and what He did for us, gives us hope
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
We were that “joy set before Him.” That is the love that we can depend on.
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,” (Acts 2:28 quoting Psalm 16:11). Where will I be filled with the Lord’s joy? In His presence – and “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Neh. 8:10). So, my strength comes from the joy of being in God’s presence.
Time in His presence
When things aren’t going right, we can spend time with Him, in His presence, to experience the true joy of being reminded of our hope, our victory, through the new life we have because of the cross of Jesus and count our blessings.
As I am “looking unto Jesus,” I am no longer focused on my circumstances, but the One who loves me and is bigger than my circumstances.
