PRAISE AND JOYPhilippians 4

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From the Old Testament throughout the New Testament, to have joy or to rejoice is evidently demonstrated as the major if not the only accessible avenue to enter or to retain the presence of God in the life of every believer. Apostle Paul emphasized in Philippians 4:4, ÒRejoice always. Again I will say, rejoice!Ó Paul did not just say rejoice but he said it with emphasis because he was urging the need for peace with the Lord. The peace of God is the presence of God and to be able to carry His presence, joy and rejoicing are a must. Without joy, there cannot be peace and without peace no joy will be in place. Prophet Isaiah in his own revelation of letting us know the effect of joy said, ÒTherefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.Ó (Isaiah 12:3) Isaiah was expressing giving thanks in the Kingdom of God. It is written in Psalm 16:11, ÒYou will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.Ó The Psalmist was requesting for direction in the path of life because in the path of life where there is GodÕs presence, the sojourner will get to their expected end. Also where GodÕs presence is absent, death will be present and the sojourner will miss getting to the expected end. To journey in the path of life successfully, GodÕs presence will have to be constantly and consistently in place. In the words of the Psalmist it is clear that joy is what will grant the presence of God that is enough for passing through the path of life. After HannahÕs breakthrough miracle, she testified in 1 Samuel 2:1, ÒÉmy heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.Ó Hannah distinctively spelled out the kind of joy that grants GodÕs presence by saying, ÒMy heart rejoices in the Lord.Ó The only way that the presence of God cannot be accessible is when joy is not of or from the heart but is rather just in the mouth. This also occurs when being happy is misrepresented for joy. When joy flows from the heart, it will no doubt locate God because you cannot praise God and not be joyful. Likewise, you cannot be joyful and not praise Him. Praise and joy is an inseparable avenue of gaining His presence. The word of God confirms it when it testifies in Psalm 22:3, ÒBut you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.Ó Any time praise is with joy, God is in such praise worship. Think of it, praising Him with understanding is praising Him with joy. Just like Hannah, when you praise Him joyfully, your horn (strength) will be exalted in the Lord. You will smile at every representative of enemies such as failure, lack, sickness, and every other kind of challenges that Paul advised us not to be anxious about. Be anxious for nothing. Praise God with joy and His presence will carry you through in Jesus name.