Stop Robbing My Joy!

The title of this blog post is in honor of my friend Al who told me a humorous story of an encounter where he was telling a Christian lady that he wouldn't be able to do a particular project for her, to which she responded by becoming visibly upset and stating, "You're robbing my joy"!

Yesterday morning during my time of intercession I felt God's Spirit stirring in me on the theme of joy and the restoration of joy. I sensed the Lord say to me that one of the major strategies of the enemy is to rob us of joy - specifically the joy of the Lord, meaning the joy that comes from our relationship with God.

Many of us know the phrase 'the joy of the Lord is my strength', but it's such a common phrase that I have to admit I needed to look it up in order to find the Scriptural reference for it! I quickly realized how much of a 'fridge magnet verse' it was to me when I was stunned to find it in Nehemiah 8:10! (a humbling admission)

In my prayer time I was directed mainly to David's famous cry in Ps. 51:12, "restore to me the joy of your salvation"; as I began to pray that verse for myself and others, I sensed the Lord showing me the robbery in our lives of the joy that God has designed to strengthen us. (I admit that I found the concept rather humorous, but then God does have a sense of humor!)

I think that one of the reasons I've often struggled with the concept of joy is that I've equated it with silliness, and as those who know me will readily agree, I am not that into silliness. (although thankfully my kids often say that I am, so I'm getting better!)

Today I want to encourage you to pray for a greater level of joy in your life. Don't start singing 'I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. WHERE? Down in my heart, down in my heart.... " (remember, no silliness allowed :)

God is saying that He wants to give us divine strength through the joy that comes from our relationship with Him. There is new strength for us today if we will but ask Him.

Here are 3 passages that you can pray for yourself and for those around you (family and friends):

• Psalm 51:12 - God restore to me the joy that come from my relationship with you
• Galatians 5:22 - Holy Spirit come. Fill me today and produce new joy in me.
• Isaiah 61:3 - Father give to me today the oil of gladness. Pour it over me.

I encourage you to take a moment right now (before you get distracted) and pray on this theme of joy.

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