Link to Joyful Jenny channel and a little Joyful Jenny Flow.*
Many do not see God as a God of celebration and joy. Life, celebration, and joy are all part of our good good Heavenly Father’s good gifts.
The first place the word “joy” is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 30:13 and the word joy is associated with the birth of LIFE. Leah actually named the child, Asher, which means “happy” in Hebrew. God is the Almighty Creator of all life and Giver of joy. The birth of Jesus was given to bring “GREAT JOY” to ALL people – this includes ALL people.
We see recorded in the Old Testament, God’s establishment of set Jewish festivals. These annual feasts – or sometimes seven-day long joyful parties, are still celebrated by many practicing jews to this day. They have significant meaning to those of us who are in Christ too. These celebrations and feasts always involved celebrating and feasting with JOY!
Again, these celebrations of feasting and joy were God’s idea!
*Note: Just a minor clarification from the video – Nehemiah is the Governor and Ezra is the Scribe who read from the Book of the Law. The people listened to Ezra reading from the Book of the Law during the Feast of Trumpets – the first day of the appointed month (in early autumn) of four extra days of rest. This was to be a holy gathering and a day of rest, no work, presenting offerings and hearing the Word – like our present day Sundays for Christ followers. This was followed by the feast of shelters (tabernacles, booths or ingathering) to celebrate God’s presence.
Sundays (and every day of the week) for believers should be filled with celebrating the presence of the Lord with…
Joyful praise and worship!
In His presence is fullness of joy…Psalm 16:11
The Joyful Word!
I find more joy in following what You tell me to do than in chasing after all the wealth of the world. Psalm 119:14
A Joyful Life for all who are in Christ – an abundant and eternal life of joy, peace and rest!
(Isaiah 55:12; Psalm 23:1-2)
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.”
Nehemiah 8:9-12 NLT
This is the season of Passover, the commemoration of God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. This celebration points to Jesus Christ, Yeshua, our Deliverer and Savior from the bondage of sin. The jewish people were instructed to cover their door posts with the blood of a spotless lamb. The sinless and perfect Son of God, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, has fulfilled this divinely ordained prophetic picture. Jesus has provided the pathway for all people to enter the door to a life worth celebrating and a life filled with joy forevermore. Jesus, who loves each one of us so much, laid down His life in order to give life abundantly and eternally for all. For all who receive Jesus, spiritual death through the consequences of our sin is passed over giving way to newness of life and so much more, including joy forevermore. Jesus, our Passover Lamb, covers our imperfections and our sins, with His perfect, sinless life and His redeeming blood as the payment for our sins.
God, our Creator and the One who celebrates every life, provided His very own Son as an open door invitation for all people to receive a new joyful life in the spirit as new creations in Christ.
This is worth remembering and celebrating with joy forevermore.
Do you wanna celebrate? Celebrating and JOY are God’s ideas!
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11
We see Jesus celebrating with the guests at the wedding at Cana and then turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11). One day, we will all celebrate joyfully together at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Do you wanna celebrate? Our Savior Bridegroom has invited us all to join in this joyful wedding party with Him (1 John 5:11-13).
Let the joyful celebration begin!
Additional Scriptures: Exodus 12:1-14; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 2:10-11; John 3:16-17; 10:9; 14:6; Hebrews 9:22; James 1:17; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 5:12-13
Ponder It 