Shining Bright in Our Trials
God desires for us to serve Him with joy and gladness, and this is possible through total trust in Him.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord with joy and gladness, rooted in the assurance of His protection over His children. He illustrates how biblical figures like Joshua, Caleb, and the three Hebrew men maintained their joy and faith amidst trials, showcasing that true joy comes from total trust in God. Wilkerson encourages believers to rise above despair, reminding them that the joy of the Lord is their strength and that they have every reason to rejoice, regardless of their circumstances.
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"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness" (Psalm 100:1).
"Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly" (Psalm 68:3).
"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" (Psalm 5:11).
God is serious about wanting his children to serve him with joy and gladness -- which is the result of one great foundational truth: we are under his protective wings! He does not want us to be defeated and downcast, living as unbelievers do.
The Bible abounds with the glorious stories of those who maintained joy through their trials -- even when everyone else had given up. In one instance, all Israel murmured and complained except for two men of God, Joshua and Caleb. They never once wavered in their faith and joy, even though all those around them had given in to despair and defeat (see Numbers 13).
In another, three young Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, leapt for joy as they declared, "We will serve our God with trust and gladness." They rejoiced in the Lord, immovable in their faith, as they were miraculously delivered from the fiery furnace (see Daniel 3).
The apostle Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all [my] tribulations" (2 Corinthians 7:4). Total trust in the Lord produces joy. Even today, the Lord has a people who will not bend. They lift up their heads through all their trials and glory in the Lord. They shine forth as beautiful examples of how the joy of the Lord is possible in any trial.
If your heart is right with God, you have every right to rejoice and be glad! Over and over God makes it clear that he yearns to be enjoyed by his children. Remember, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
Sermon Outline
- God's Desire for Joyful Service
- We are under God's protective wings
- He wants us to serve Him with joy and gladness
Key Quotes
“We are under his protective wings!” — David Wilkerson
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” — David Wilkerson
“I am exceedingly joyful in all [my] tribulations” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Trust in God's protective wings and His promise to defend us.
- Maintain joy in trials by living a life of faith and trust in God.
- Rejoice and be glad, even in the midst of difficulties, if your heart is right with God.