I was recently in a time of prayer and I heard the word “joy.” Then as I continued praying, I heard the Lord say, “Joy is coming.” I immediately knew that this was a word for the body of Christ. I believe that there are greater levels of joy that the Lord wants to bring His people into in this season. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
I believe that God is releasing His joy over the body of Christ in order to strengthen them so that they can move forward in everything He has called them to do. One of the things God spoke to me about concerning 2024 was that this is a year to build. I believe in many ways this is a Nehemiah season where we are to have our swords in one hand and a hammer in the other. So when God began speaking to me about joy I knew He was releasing it to strengthen us during this time of building with Him!
As I prayed into this word, I felt in my spirit that we have already stepped into the first stages of the joy that is coming. But with God, there are always greater measures and depths! I believe what many are about to experience is the joy of the Lord that is unexplainable. This is a joy that does not change despite whatever you may be facing in the natural. As believers, we face many obstacles and difficult situations. But because we are Kingdom citizens through everything and every trial or test we can still have unexplainable and unshakable joy and peace.
I believe one of the ways we can partner with God in prophetic seasons is to meditate on and apply scriptures that address what God is doing! So, I want to share with you a handful of scriptures about joy that will be key for you in this season. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The joy that is coming is meant to fill you with hope in this season that will encourage you to keep pressing in and moving forward in the things God has placed in your heart to do. As you walk in a greater measure of joy, you will see the full manifestation of the glory of God in every single thing that you do! Romans 12:12 says, “Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.” One of the things I love about this verse is that it reveals to us how we can access hope and joy- it is to commune with God at all times. When we are found constantly seeking the Lord and spending that time with Him we can’t help but be filled with hope and joy in any and every circumstance.
James 1:2-4 describes how joy can carry us through trials. It says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
In the midst of trials and tests, we are called to have the greatest joy which is completely opposite of what our flesh is inclined to do. At the end of Acts 7, Stephen is being stoned and we see him still rejoicing because he knew he was about to meet the Father face to face. The joy of the Lord strengthens us to see everything, even horrible situations from a Heavenly and eternal perspective.
Psalms 5:11 says, “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.” My friends, let this prophetic word encourage your spirit but also let it push you forward. Now more than ever we must be those who keep contending in fasting and prayer, reading our Bibles every day, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is your season to step into the joy of the Lord like never before as you believe for every promise God has given to you to come to pass!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Joe Joe Dawson
Featured Image by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
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