08/07/2026
It has been some time since I've had the opportunity to pass along to you some scriptures from God's Holy Word. Therefore, I would like to share with you today some verses pertaining to the theme of our church's recent Church Camp, joy.
Joy is defined, in the King James Bible, "as gladness, an inner feeling of happiness, and a spiritual state of delight rooted in God rather than outward life events. Unlike temporary happiness that changes when life gets hard, Biblical joy is an anchor of the soul given by God."
As children of God, we will go through troubles and trials at various points in our life; however, as the quote above states, we have "an anchor of the soul" that we can depend on when the issue might seem too hard to bear. Let me share with you a verse from Hebrews 6:19, which speaks of our "anchor of the soul."
Hebrews 6:19 -
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, . . ."
We are able to be a joyful people, even when times get rough, because we can depend on our "anchor of the soul," no matter what our future may hold. We need not fear what the future may bring, because our salvation is built on the rock, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 18:2 -
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
What a joyous thought, as a child of God, to know that our faith is built on the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. When I think of our Lord being our rock in whom we can rely, I'm reminded of a hymn that I'm sure will be very familiar to many of you, "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less." Let me just share with you a stanza from this wonderful hymn.
"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less"
"When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil."
Let the world see in us the joy of being a child of God and let us pass along that joy to others by sharing with them the precious gospel message of Jesus Christ. Let the world see a people whose salvation is built on the solid rock, joyous at the knowledge of knowing that one glorious day we will be taken up to live with our Lord, our Savior, our King, for eternity. What A Day That Will Be!
Philippians 4:4 -
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
I Thessalonians 5:16 -
"Rejoice evermore."
James 1:2 -
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"
Nehemiah 8:10 -
"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
