“Rejoicing in hope,

persevering in tribulation,

devoted to prayer,”

-{Romans 12:12}.

Hope is the foundation of Joy, and tribulations cannot dampen or destroy this joy because of the Hope that the believer has, and our Hope is in a Person. “Christ Jesus who is our Hope.”- {1 Timothy 1:1}. We may “give away” our joy to circumstances, people, but no one can take it from us. Jesus said,”I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”-{John 15:11 NLT}.  Note the beauty and sufficiency of this joy. It is Christ’s joy. It is Fullness of Joy. It is an Overflowing Joy. This joy is rooted in the hope of the confident expectation of the absolute assurance of God to fulfill His promises. Neither Sickness, sorrow, afflictions, trials, can quench the believers joy which is rooted deep in CONFIDENT hope in God to fulfill His Word.

How do we  Persevere, endure?

HOPE Enables us to Persevere,Endure. “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.“-{1 Thess 1:3} Endurance, perseverance, steadfastness that is persistent is inspired by Hope. We can keep going. following Him, doing the right thing in trials, sufferings, because hope inspires endurance

TRUSTING The Lord Jesus Enables us to Persevere,Endure; “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”-{Hebrews 12;2}.

JOY Enables us to Persevere,Endure; He endured the cross…How?” “…For the joy set before Him.” The sustained, endurance of the cross through rejoicing in hope!”

“Joy in the NT is virtually always used to signify a feeling of “happiness” that is based on spiritual realities (and independent of what “happens”). Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or gladness;… a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is God’s gift to believers…The “joy set before” Jesus includes His perfection completion of His Father’s will, His being seated on the throne at the Father’s right hand, and the joy of presenting believers to the Father in glory.”-{preceptaustin.} “The joy set before the Lord was the anticipation of His glory with the Father and all that was to be the outcome of His finished work on the Cross, both in the present age and the ages to come. Because of the value He set upon all this He endured the Cross.”- {W.E. Vine}.

It does not mean we are untouched by sorrows or deny them or try and present to others that we are untouched by troubles, trials pain or sorrows. Jesus was called a “Man of sorrows acquainted with grief.” He was not and is not untouched by our troubles. Paul said, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing…” -{2 Cor 6:10}. Note sorrow and joy side by side. We need to let people know of our sorrows to, we can identify, we are not untouched by the pains, difficulties, heartaches of life just like those who do not know Him. Also there is the sorrows we experience as believers over the lost, the dishonoring of His Name, sin. Paul said ,”I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”-{Rom 9;2}. Note “unceasing,” he knew this sorrow habitually, consistently, yet in sorrow he also knew joy in the midst!

1.The Joy of The Lord Is The Fruit of Hope -{Romans 12:12}

“Rejoicing in hope,” Hope is the foundation. Hope means “confident expectation…” to anticipate and with pleasure. And with Hope as the foundation Joy is the fruit! “The Hope of the righteous is Gladness…”-{Prov 10:28}

2. The Joy of the LORD Strengthens {Neh 8;10}.

‘Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  His joy strengthened them!

3. The Joy of the LORD is a Safeguard to us. – {Phil 3:1}

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.”-{Phil 3:1}. The word “safeguard” refers to not tripping up, stumbling or falling over something. What is it that keeps us from being tripped up spiritually? “Rejoice in the LORD.” To delight in Him. He is the object of rejoicing.

4. The Joy of The LORD is Knowing His Character.

He is The Sphere that rejoicing takes place. The LORD, knowing Him, His Word and obeying the command to delight in Him, His Sovereignty, His Salvation, His Sufficiency, His Supply of His Spirit, His Word, His resources to live following Him and supply of precious and magnificent promises to be applied. -{Read 2 Peter 1:3-4}.

5. The Joy of The LORD Satisfies -{John 15:11}

“Jesus said,”I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”-{Read John 15:11 NLT}.

6. The Joy Of The LORD is The Fruit Of The Spirit. -{Gal 5;22}

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, …”-{Gal 5:22}

7. The Joy Of The LORD Comes From His Word. -{Jer 15:16}

“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Hope is the foundation and Joy is the fruit of Biblical Hope!

Biblical Hope, is “‘confident expectation,” of future good In God. The strength of hope in God’s ability and RELIABILITY To fulfill All His Promises!