We’re studying joy this week and we’re putting together all of the pieces of the puzzle that we find in the Bible. During episode one, we talked about how the joy of the Lord is our strength. Episode two, we learned how in the midst of our crises in life, there is an opportunity to grow endurance, which leads to life and joy. We can be joyful in our spirits regardless of our circumstances.
Today, we’re going to find out that there is tremendous blessing when you and I seek joy. We’re always going to find it because joy is a person.
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Transcription:
There’s a place where you are always guaranteed to find joy. It could be at work right before that scary meeting. It could be at school. It could be at the hospital at 3:00 AM, on aisle eight at the grocery store. It can be anywhere that you are a hundred percent sure to find joy, and we’re going to talk about that today on the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, and I’m so glad you’re here. We’re studying joy this week and we’re putting together all of the pieces of the puzzle that we find in the Bible. During episode one, we talked about how the joy of the Lord is our strength. Episode two, we learned how in the midst of our crises in life, there is an opportunity to grow endurance, which leads to life and joy. We can be joyful in our spirits regardless of our circumstances. Today, we’re going to find out that there is tremendous blessing when you and I seek joy. We’re always going to find it because joy is a person. Okay, I want to invite you to join me today in Matthew chapter two. Yes!. This is part of the Christmas story, which is something you and I don’t typically read in the middle of summer, but here we are. You’re going to see why in moments. Join me in Matthew chapter two, beginning in verse one.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
Maybe you’re asking today, where is my joy? It has fled from me.
We saw his star as it rose and we have come to worship him. King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
Now, quick note here. King Herod did not want to worship the newborn baby Messiah. He wanted to take his life. Jesus was a threat to King Herod. Verse nine now.
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
Just take that in for a moment.
10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
That star the wise men were seeking stopped over the place where the Lord Jesus was. You see, joy always leads back to Jesus. When you and I are seeking joy, we’re really seeking the Lord. Remember at the beginning of this passage, the kings asked, where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose. We’ve come to worship him. They were not just seeking a star, they were seeking a savior. The star was just the symbol, and when you and I go about seeking joy, seeking that feeling of contentedness in our hearts, I believe it’s us seeking our savior as well. And I have some really good news for you today because here is a promise straight from Psalm 16, verse 11,
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever
Another translation says
Of the Lord, there is fullness of joy.
Fullness of joy. Don’t you sometimes just wish your heart had that full feeling and not the emptiness and the brokenness that so often we battle as humans? Where the Lord is there is joy. The star stopped over the place where our Jesus was born. I couldn’t love it more. There’s an invitation for you and I in God’s word. It comes from 1 Chronicle 16:11,
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
So there’s our invitation. The Lord wants us to seek him just as the wise men chose to seek him. Okay, and here’s the promise. It comes from Proverbs eight, verse 17.
“I love those who love me. and those who seek me, find me.
When you are seeking joy, you’re really seeking Jesus, And Jesus says, if you seek me, you’re going to find me. Are you feeling encouraged? Because I certainly am. Alright. I’m going to bring this home because our seven minutes are almost up. Remember, I told you that there is blessing for you and I when we seek joy? Come on, let’s read Hebrews chapter 11 verse six together,
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
If you are seeking joy, you are seeking Jesus, and you are going to find him no matter where you are. Remember, at the beginning of our time today, I told you, you can find joy anywhere. It’s because Jesus is always with you. Joy is right there. You just need to reach out and grab it. The Lord is with you in His presence is fullness of joy. Your heart can be full today wherever the Lord is and He’s everywhere and He’s with you. There is joy, so soak up the joy in His presence and of His presence today. There’s tremendous blessing in in knowing that we are surrounded by His love and filled with His joy every day. Until next time, you are really loved.
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