The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Psalms 28:7
The joy of the Lord is the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, the believer is “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” 1 Peter 1:8
What is our response to Jesus? Does our heart leap for joy? John the Baptist was in his mother Elizabeth’s womb, when Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb. The bible says when the two ladies visited together, John in the womb, leapt for joy at the presence of Jesus.
John the Baptist was the forerunner to Jesus, making way for the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist was humble, and great in God and men’s sight, because he pointed the way to Jesus Christ!
Later on in years… John the Baptist proclaimed:
“… John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
THIS WAS JOHN’S JOY! This IS A BELIEVER’S JOY!
I was reading in Acts Chapter 3 and 4 today. A man lame from birth, begging. John and Peter saw him and responded “silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus, rise up and walk ” Acts 3:6
And sure enough, the man responded to the miracle Jesus had done in his life , as he stood up, by walking, leaping, praising God!
Nothing is better and nothing gives true life, than JESUS CHRIST – HE ALONE!
Every sinner, who humbly acknowledges they are poor and needy. Who receives Salvation through Jesus Christ, has received the greatest miracle of all. We will be compelled to “get up and walk” in newness of life! In joy!
This lame man received physical healing, but the greater healing was the eyes of his heart opened to see the Spiritual saving work of Jesus. He was walking because of Jesus, and walking WITH JESUS!
Responding daily to the gift God has graciously bestowed upon us, may our hearts leap in the miracle of His saving, healing work in our lives.
This lame man didn’t hold back leaping from the inside out in proclamation of Jesus Who heals and saves.
His response, caused others to see, marvel at what had happened to him. Gave way for Peter to share the gospel and the miracle of Salvation offered to all who would repent and Believe.
Others refused to see the goodness of God, refused to hear and receive the message of Jesus Christ.
In fact, Peter and John, with their own hearts leaping with joy at the life they had walked with Jesus on earth, now filled with His Holy Spirit to go out and preach the gospel, through Christ’s resurrection power, they would face brutal hardship. They would be accused, and put in jail for DOING GOOD. For being used by GOD to bring healing, and set captives FREE! And yet… they would rejoice. And through this whole encounter, many, around 5,000 received the miracle of Salvation.
The apostles in Jerusalem were arrested—twice—and ordered not to preach in Jesus’ name. The second time they faced the court, they were beaten. Unaffected!. They returned home “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” and ready to preach some more Acts 5:41. Of course, the apostles were only following the example of our Lord, who had “for the joy set before him . . . endured the cross, scorning its shame” Hebrews 12:2.
May we walk, leap, praise God for what He has done for us. May our testimony be heard and seen by others, as we point them to the gospel-Jesus Christ, and may God draw men’s hearts to receive this gift!
Eternal life with Jesus Christ, and a daily walking in faith, leaping in joy in the God of our Salvation, and praising Him!
I found this little frog on a family hike yesterday. He was so still resting in my hand. He turned his little head back and forth as he looked up at me. We sat him down near a nice muddy, moist embankment, and soon after, that little frog went leaping away.
How precious!
I think of our Savior. As we rest in the loving hand of God, touched by His love, eyes on Him, we are still, and calm in His presence. We look up. He strengthens us, sends us onward into walking out our faith. Leaping and praising Him.
“the joy of the Lord is our strength” Neh 8:10
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Adverse circumstances, instead of hindering our faith, can actually enhance our joy. As we abide in Christ, the True Vine, we, the branches, are full of His strength and vitality, and the fruit produced, including joy, is His doing – John 15:5
What challenges are we facing today? May we leap with joy as we look at the God of our Salvation. Trust Him more. Sing for all He has done and is going to do.
To Yours oh Lord, be the glory, honor, power, forever and ever – amen.
Take my life and let it be all for YOU.
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45
