The people who choose joy before their circumstances change become the ones who change their circumstances.— Bill Johnson
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4, AMPC
As we wrap up our 40-day journey, we’ll turn again to the book of Joel from which the Lord has taught us relevant topics necessary in Shifting Generations. The opening chapters spoke of the destruction of an invading army of locusts and the prophet’s call for the people to fast in repentance for a turnaround. Over the past 5 weeks, we have sought the Lord in repentance, changing our minds and perspectives, acquiring relevant insights into what his power can do when we equip ourselves with a generational mindset. Today, His message to us is simple: ‘Rejoice and be glad for He has done great things’.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
22 Be not afraid, you wild beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness have sprung up and are green; the tree bears its fruit, and the fig tree and the vine yield their [full] strength.
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God; for He gives you the former or early rain in just measure and in righteousness, and He causes to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, as before.
24 And the [threshing] floors shall be full of grain and the vats shall overflow with juice [of the grape] and oil.
Joel 2:21-24, AMPC
Do you believe that God has done great things already? Can you see the clouds preceding the former and early rains? Are your barns ready for the overflow of grain and juice? There's a double blessing coming – one of restoration, increase and establishment – that may not be apparent to our physical senses yet. But the Lord admonishes us to rejoice because from His perspective, they have already been done. And the sure means to usher in the rains of God's blessings and harvest is to rejoice and be glad.
When Paul wrote to the Philippian church, he repeated this command in the same sentence. “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 AMPC). Why this repetition and emphasis? Because we may often find reasons to lose our joy in our wait for the manifestation of God’s promises. It is only when we hold on to our faith that God has already prepared and released whatever we’ve been seeking Him for that we can rejoice.
The secret to a victorious life in Christ is our ability to find and maintain our joy despite the circumstances around us. The God of Process and the God of Sudden breakthroughs has heard your petitions and He’s filled up wells of goodness for you. But as Isaiah highlights in the verses below, you can only draw them out with joy. At times, the enemy may paint a discouraging picture that the outcomes you are expecting will not come to pass. We saw such episodes in Abraham and Sarah’s wait for their promised child when it seemed God had forgotten them. But God had set a generational blessing in motion, and He could only manifest it in the fullness of time.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Isaiah 12:3-5, NKJV
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and as you rely on the Spirit’s help to guard your joy, you will secure what God has done in this season. Do not allow the enemy to steal your joy through the happenings around you. When Hannah poured her grievances to the Lord at Shiloh and received the blessing from priest Eli, she took a decisive step to prove her faith. Unlike previous years when she would cry and avoid eating, she cast off her sad countenance and enjoyed the sacrificial feast. This is the posture you must have too.
Sometimes, the enemy uses ‘little foxes’ to spoil your vine that is in blossom. One bad news, one unmet expectation or one manifestation that seems to fall short of what you envisioned. When your promise starts unfolding, it may start small but do not despise the small beginnings. See from God’s perspective and believe that the latter glory ahead of you is greater.
One way to sustain your joy is maintaining a routine of fellowship in God’s word and prayer. You have laid a good foundation for this productive habit over the past 40 days. I encourage you not to let the fire on this altar go out. Put in measures to remind yourself of God’s promises, prophecies and principles daily. This way, you will abide in God’s love and that love will fill you with joy. Then that joy will be a source of strength in your wait for the full manifestation of God’s promises.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; …
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:9-11, NKJV
Finally, Paul gives us another strategy for rejoicing and maintaining joy: Define what you have responsibility for and can control and hand over whatever is beyond your control to God. As you cast your cares on God and set your minds on wholesome things, your peace and joy will be restored.
God has done great things for us on this 40-day journey and they shall manifest. So, rejoice and be glad!
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:6-8, NLT