Sunday, 30th September 2018
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
We need to have strong faith in God, our joy should not be controlled by our situations or circumstances. If we see God’s blessings in our everyday life, then we will have joy always. Jesus knows the Father’s heart, which is to heal the sicknesses and set the captives free. He will not lose His joy when His prayers are not answered, because He knows the Father’s heart.
We can also have a close relationship with God like Jesus does. We don’t go to God only because we need something from Him. It is like the relationship of the husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend. It’s about understanding and communicating well with God rather than commanding Him what we want Him to do for us. Today Rev Daniel reminded us that God wants to build the covenant with us, He has already spoken to us and called us, He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us, but we need to take the action of building up this relationship with God, to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit, and to follow God’s guidance in our lives.
Habakkuk 3:18-19 says, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
THE SOURCE OF JOY IS GOD
Our joy should be in the Lord. The world, the people, or even ourselves cannot provide us with true joy. King David taught us that in the Lord he was able to rejoice, even when everything seems to be against him.
Psalm 16: 8-9, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”
Many people put other things before God, we tend to please others or spend time on things instead of God. When we identify and realise that God is the source of our joy, we will no longer chase the things of this world. Just like the heroes in the Bible, Joshua, Joseph, Moses, Daniel… they all came across difficult situations, but they still had joy because they relied on God.
Rev Daniel shared that whenever he feels down, just like when he feels thirsty, he will turn on the water of the everlasting fountains, drink from it and be filled. Always seek Jesus first, call upon Him, because He is always listening to us and He can fill us with great joy, which our problems or issues cannot take it away!
THE SOURCE OF JOY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN US
John 7:37-38 says this, On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
Something is within us, and it is the living water! This water can refresh us, and restore our strength. Often we seek help from people, from outside sources that seem trustworthy, but we forgot that God is the most powerful Creator.
Nehemiah 8:10 says this, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”