Psalm 5:11
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
The last time I checked, the Christian faith is called Good News (Gospel). The angels who announce the Messiah’s birth to the shepherds say they bring good tidings of great joy, not sorrow (Luke 2:10). We should not behave as though it’s a mistake to belong to Jesus. We should not operate as though we’ve signed up for hell, rather than for heaven, beloved!
And to be Pentecostal is not about sombreness and long faces, when the fruit of the Spirit includes joy! We should not go about our business like burdened, cursed, damned people when our sins are forgiven, we are redeemed, blessed and heaven-bound.
Genuine trust and joy are inseparable; true love for God is synonymous with rejoicing in Him (Psalm 5:11). These are the days when, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).
It’s time to trade our sorrows for the joy of the Lord. It’s time to receive our beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and our garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)!
Pastor Josh