“As the days on which the Jews got rest from their enemies, and as the month which was turned for them from sorrow to gladness and from mourning into a holiday–that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days of sending choice portions to one another and gifts to the poor.” Esther 9:22 AMPC
Often, God’s children don’t realize the powerful secret of expressing joy as a divine strategy for winning spiritual battles. Observe the opening verse: the month was turned for them from sorrow to gladness and from mourning into a holiday – that they should make them days of feasting and gladness. In case you are not familiar with the story, those days were appointed for death and doom for all the Jews in the kingdom of Persia.
Expressing joy releases divine strength in your spirit. For instance, the Jews under Nehemiah’s leadership were going through a distressing time because they had disobeyed the Lord. Jerusalem was in ruins, and they were praying, crying, and mourning. However, the Word of the Lord came to Nehemiah in Nehemiah 8:10 (MSG): “He continued, ‘Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything. This day is holy to God.’” Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!”
Notice three things in this verse: 1) stop crying and go home, 2) prepare a feast or holiday food and drink, and 3) share it with those who don’t have anything. These are all expressions of joy. As a Christian, you must respond correctly to difficult situations by expressing joy in these ways. Joy is already in your spirit; unleash it through laughter, giving to others and having a feast. During the feast, make it a point to sing and dance in the Spirit. Do this and see things turn around for your good.
“May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials. But these only reveal the sterling core of your faith, which is far more valuable than gold that perishes, for even gold is refined by fire. Your authentic faith will result in even more praise, glory, and honor when Jesus the Anointed One is revealed. You love him passionately although you have not seen him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory” (1 Peter 1:6-8 TPT).
We weren’t promised no persecution or trials, but we were given guarantees of victory through the expression of joy. James by the Spirit tells us to count it all joy when we face challenges. Joy, not tears, is the Spirit’s mind regarding our response to trials and difficulties. Bless God.
CONFESSION
I choose joy as my strength and my weapon. I turn sorrow into gladness and trials into triumph. I express my joy through laughter, celebration, giving, and praise, and in doing so, I release divine power that shifts every situation in my favor. The joy of the Lord is my source of victory, and I walk daily in unstoppable gladness. Halleluyah!
DEEPER REFLECTION
Esther 9:16-19 MSG
Meanwhile in the rest of the king’s provinces, the Jews had organized and defended themselves, freeing themselves from oppression. On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, they killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them but did not take any plunder. The next day, the fourteenth, they took it easy and celebrated with much food and laughter. But in Susa, since the Jews had banded together on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days, they made the fifteenth their holiday for laughing and feasting. (This accounts for why Jews living out in the country in the rural villages remember the fourteenth day of Adar for celebration, their day for parties and the exchange of gifts.)
JAMES 1:2-3 NKJV
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 11-12, Matthew 6
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 6, Matthew 3:10-17
