Joy of the Lord

Hababkuk 3 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. Though the fig tree does not bud…..Don’t look at the difficulties rejoice in the lord and he will solve our problems, focusing on the lord gives us joy   Worship: https://www.armenianicf.com/Podcasts/Worship020809_1700.mp3   Message: https://www.armenianicf.com//Podcasts/Edward020809_1700.mp3   Proof why we should be rejoicing 1 God is ruler and is sovereign over everything Psalm 47. In all circumstances be contented and joyfully How can we do this practically? it seems counter intuitive. Praise the lord for wars and unfaithfulness? If we accept the sovereignity of the Lord anything that happens is under the control of the Lord we can rejoice because he has control over our difficulties. Commit your problems and doubts to him. 2 if we commit difficulties to the Lord God we can turn problems into blessings.  If we trust him then it will end in happiness. Example of Moses and Joseph feed his people during time of famine. Persecution word of God spreads to areas that wouldn’t have heard 3 Going through difficulties builds our character. The book of James says Consider trials a blessing. Some believers are chocolate Christian who melt when there are trials.  God allowed Paul to be in prison to write his letters john was Imprisonned on an island when he got revelation. Sammy Tippeett had a personal word from the Lord that for him to have cancer was a good thing. Lord brought change in him and the cancer disappeared but throughout he was joyful in the lord 4 Nehemiah 8:10 joy of the lord is my strength.  That is our strength focus on God not the problem. Rejoice in the Lord and he gives us the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord. In the book of Philipians 14 times the word joyful is mentioned