Revelation of the Word
Revelation of the Word 01/06/2018 Admin
THEME: JOY
John 15:10-12
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
INSIGHT
-Jesus reveals the secret of joy which entails keeping His commandment that we love Him & one another that our joy may be full. It is the love of God that yields absolute joy in our hearts for He gives us His grace to function effectively in His will here on earth.
SUMMARY
-Joy in Hebrew is written as simchah which means to rejoice, delight, triumph or to have a feeling of great pleasure, gladness & happiness. It the desire of every human being to live a life full of joy & happiness, made possible by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). Many instances of joy can be traced in the Bible including:- Israelites deliverance from Egypt (Ex 18:9-11), return from the Babylonian exile (Jer 31:1-19 ), their restoration (Ps 14:7), corporate worship (Deu 16:13-15 ; 2 Chr 30:21-22, Ps 122:1), harvest & military victory (Isa 9:3 ), enjoyment in wine (Ps 104:15 ), marriage (Pro 5:18 ), child birth (Ps 113:9 ), Gods’ steadfast love for us (Ps 32:11 ), joy in Gods’ word (Ps 119:14 ), believers reward (Isa 65:14), birth of Christ brought joy to all people ( Lk 2:10 ), Christs’ ascension (Lk 24:52 ), angels rejoice in unbeliever’s conversion (Lk 10:20 ), believers rejoice in trials & persecution (Jam 1:2 ), God’s kingdom is associated with righteousness, peace & joy (Rom 14:17 ), joy in salvation & that our names are written in heaven (Lk 10:20 ), constant happiness in the Lord (Phi 4:4) etc.
-Adonijah son of Haggith exulted himself, sacrificed oxen, cattle & sheep, & became king of Israel as David’s successor without his consent which caused an uproar in Israel. Nathan the prophet then intervened & advised Bathsheba the mother of Solomon to let the news be known to king David & request for him to anoint Solomon her son; king. David then called in prophet Nathan, Benaiah & Zadok the priest & instructed them to anoint Solomon; king of Israel reversing the coup attempt & brought about rejoicing in the whole of Jerusalem (1 kings 1:40). There is also rejoicing in heaven among the angels as revealed by the parable of the lost coin, lost sheep & prodigal son, when one sinner who needs forgiveness repents than ninety nine just persons who need no repentance (Lk 15:7). The prodigal son went astray when he chased after pleasures of this world but God had mercy on him & drew him back into His kingdom. We should therefore ask for Gods’ mercy always in repentance & change our minds in the mission to follow Him without turning back, & not be like Lot’s wife who was saved from the fire of Sodom & Gomorrah but looked back & became a pillar of salt. Apostle Paul reminds us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing & give thanks to God in everything; for this is His will through Jesus Christ (1 The 5:16-18). In this regard, God calls us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction & faithful in prayer (Rom 12:12). His dwelling place is joy, glory & strength; where the rich & the poor, the old & the young find hope & comfort (1 Chro 16:27-28). God also calls us to seek Him always for no one is perfect; but He perfects us in His love for His kingdom is about righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
PRAYER
We thank You Father for liberating us from colonial oppression & giving us ultimate freedom through the sacrifice of Your beloved son Jesus for us all. Thank You Father for loving us with perfect love & help us Lord to love You & to love one another that our joy may be full. Remember our nation Kenya Lord during this time that we are faced by many challenges including corruption, slow economic growth, unemployment, relational issues, family problems, neo-colonialism, financial challenges etc that You set us free & bless us all Lord. We cannot forget to thank You our loving Father for this far You brought us, we praise You & bless Your holy name Lord. We know & believe that You are changing our lives & exposing us to new beginnings for Your love for us endures forever. Receive all the glory, honour & praise Father, now & forever. Amen
Blessed Madaraka Day
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