“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 
I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18
Dearly beloved in Christ,
I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Today man desires to live a jolly life. He works hard to earn money thinking that riches would enable him to lead a happy life. Some take to drinking liquor and intoxicants seeking enjoyment and become slaves of such habits. Some others deceive themselves by submitting themselves to fleeting carnal pleasures. 
But permanent and satisfying joy is provided only in Christ. This joy remains in all situations in life. Hence, Habakkuk says, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls —Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (3:17,18). Fig fruit is good for food. It is written: “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys” (1 Samuel 25:18). It can revive the health of a person. David, pursuing the Amalekites, found a young Egyptian servant of an Amalekite who was left behind as he became sick. It is said, “And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights” (1 Samuel 30:12). It is also written in 2 Kings 20:7 that King Hezekiah recovered when they applied a lump of figs on the boil. Fig happens to be such an important tree. It is asserted that even if it fails to blossom, vines fail to yield fruit, olives and all other crops fail to supply food, and flocks become deplete, that state of situation will not affect the happiness of Habakkuk. This statement is a reference to one’s wealth. The reference to the loss of flocks denote failure of all labour. Even in such a situation, he can remain happy in the Lord.
This joy of the Lord is important in one’s life. Dear child of God, to live in the Lord enables it.
WHEN WOULD YOU HAVE JOY?
1. Through Deliverance
“...When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad” Psalm 14:7.
Today man subjects himself to captivity in various ways and is in sorrows and worries. If you read about Job, he was afflicted by the devil. He lost his wealth, his children and his health. His boils bothered him a lot. His wife who ought to have loved him much lost words of encouragement. Further,  his friends who came to comfort him spoke words which stung him more. He was heartbroken. At this juncture, he was led by the Lord to pray for his friends. The Lord transformed his life of captivity. We read this in Job 42:10.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who lives, wants to deliver those who are unable to come out of their captivity. He reveals the cause of our captivity before blessing us with health and strength. He is zealous to deliver His people from their captivity. For that He reveals our sins and iniquities. The Lord says, “When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria. . . .” (Hosea 7:1). 
Once a lady in the clutches of the devil was brought to me for prayer. She could not sleep at night. Physically she was weak. She was greatly struggling spiritually. The Saviour Jesus Christ, who loves us very much, spoke to her through the Holy Spirit about the reason for her captivity. Even though she was a Christian, she had been taken to a man for her deliverance. It was revealed that he had nailed her hair on a tree. When it was revealed, the family relented for their mistake and humbled themselves to confess their sins. The devil which kept her in captivity came out of her crying out loudly. Then there was joy in the family. The Lord Jesus Christ delivers us from captivity to make us happy.
2. Through the Word of the Lord
“... Your law is my delight” Psalm 119:77,174
The Bible is the word of the Lord which makes us happy. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). We read in Prov. 12:25, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” At times of oppression and distress, the word of the Lord which is life and spirit encourages and comforts us and thereby we are blessed. These words can comfort us and transform us.    “. . . you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life . ..” (Phil. 2:15,16). Once a non-believer was occupying an important office in the army. He was sent to another country for an important training. Soon after returning he was sent to the battlefield. Along with him many others were sent. In the battle, a bomb blast and the soldiers died. But he was caught under the dead bodies of the other soldiers. He could not come out and so fear gripped him. He called upon the names of several gods. Nothing happened. At last he was reminded of a verse taught by one of his teachers in the early days: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). Then he began to cry, “Jesus, help me.” The dead bodies slid on one side and he could breathe a little as the air came there. He could thus escape. The word of the Lord is comforting and encouraging in all life situations. His word gives us hope and multiplies our joy.
3. Through Salvation
“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation” Psalm 35:9
The Lord Jesus Christ came to redeem us. The original sin of Adam and Eve in disobeying the word of the Lord that forbid them from eating the fruit of the Tree of knowledge brought the whole humankind under sin. Man lost his image and the relationship with God. He was subjected to lust. He performed abhorrent and defiling things that submitted him to decay. The Lord God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from our sins and curse.
i) Salvation from Sin
In the fourth chapter of the Gospel according to John, there is the mention of a Samaritan woman who came to the well where Jesus Christ was resting. He asked her to give him water to drink. She questioned Him how He, being a Jew, could ask her, a Samaritan, to give Him water. Jesus told her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Then He told her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Many of the Samaritans came to Jesus and believed that He was the Saviour of the world. He redeems us from our sins.
ii) Salvation from the Clutches of Satan
Many are under the clutches of Satan today. We find that Satan who deceives the whole world, also called the Devil, and the Serpent of old tries to kill and destroy them. 
In the Bible, we read about the man who was possessed by the devil called legion who came to Jesus Christ. He was in a pitiable state without dress, living in the midst of graves. He was wounding himself. When Jesus Christ commanded the devils to leave him, he got delivered and healed. He became a testimony to Christ. Jesus Christ delivers and saves from the terrible works of the devil.
This salvation from curse, from poverty and diseases is from Jesus Christ. As a result of it we have joy. Psalm 20:5 talks about the joy of salvation: “We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!” David realizing his sin confesses and pleads in the presence of the Lord for mercy, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:15). 
4. Through Observing Sabbath
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD...” Isaiah 58:13, 14
All those who observe the Sabbath as the holy day of the Lord and do things in the Lord would have the joy in truth. 
I know a family which was very careful in observing the Sabbath and in spending it in ministry. Blessings abounded in the family. The members were exalted with great positions of authority. As they observed the Sabbath with diligence, the Lord graciously granted them joy.
I once assumed the Secretaryship of TUCC in Trichy.  I was in ‘A’ division. I began to function enthusiastically. As soon as the Sunday worship was over, I used to go and play, taking with others in the choir. But I met with failure in almost all the league matches. So we were pushed to ‘B’ Division. That year we met with defeat in all the matches except one in that division and so we were pushed to ‘C’ Division. Even there we had failed to qualify but by the grace of God we were retained in that division. Then I realized my mistake. As we were involved in various activities on Sunday after the Sunday worship, we met with failure.
Dear child of God, observe the Sabbath as said in the Bible for you to have joy. You should participate in the worship and other activities of the church so that you can have true blessings of joy in life.
5. Through Doing the Ministry of the Lord
“Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart...” Isaiah 65:14
There are many who work for Christ, His name, and His people. They have committed themselves to the Lord. This ministry is planned by the Lord with high motive. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13).
Peter and his brother, along with their colleagues, Jacob and John, received the call for ministry and left everything to follow Jesus. They committed to be with Jesus Christ for the ministry.
Who Will Do the Ministry?
1) Those Who have Been Delivered
“Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38, 39
The man who was delivered from the devil was transformed. He was with sense and was well-dressed. He wanted to be with Christ. He had the zeal to bear testimony about Christ. Through the testimony of those who have been delivered, many are won for Christ. They belong to Christ.
One family was languishing without any children. The one born died. The doctors who examined them declared that they had no hope. They were totally shaken. At that time the Lord worked a miracle in their lives and blessed them with child. So they committed to live for the Lord. Today they are doing ministry bearing witness to the power of the Lord.
2) Those Who Have Riches
“and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” Luke 8:3
There are people who help the Lord’s ministry with their wealth for glorifying the name of the Lord. This is wonderful. Many ministries are supported by such people. This is a wonderful ministry of supporting the servants of the Lord.
3) Those Chosen by the Lord
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9
The Lord Jesus Christ came to bring us from darkness to light. He draws us out from the darkness of death and sin into the light of Jesus Christ to be His saints and priests. When we proclaim His love and acts, we become His servants.
The Lord God met Saul. He appeared in a vision to His disciple Ananias and sent him to pray for Saul to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit and to receive sight. Ananias hesitated saying, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. . . .” (Acts 9:10-15). 
The Lord transforms those whom He chooses to be an instrument in His hands.
4) Those Sanctified
“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
Those who are sanctified and cleansed are used by the Lord Jesus Christ in His service. They are transformed into vessels of honour. Dear Sister/ Brother, you may be today a useless vessel or a broken vessel. Today if you submit yourself to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you will be transformed into an honourable vessel and He will use you. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Shepherd, your vessel will overflow with happiness and joy.
5) Those Filled with Love
‘He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep’ John 21:17
If you recognize the love of Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary for our sake, the Lord Jesus Christ will give you responsibility and use you. The Lord used Peter who was uneducated and untrained. Thus He will make us worthy to do the ministry and crown us with joy.
BLESSINGS OF JOY
1. Strength
“...Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Today we need strength. “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). 
We are also strengthened when our prayers are answered. As we gain strength in our souls, we have courage. Today many people are subjected to several sufferings and struggles because of fear. Fear drives some to commit suicide. The strength in the soul makes us courageous to face struggles of life.
Joy creates strength in the spirit as well. Those who are strengthened in the spirit will bear witness about Christ. The disciples of Jesus Christ waited in Jerusalem and were strengthened to bear witness about Jesus Christ.
Joy produces strength in the body, soul and spirit.
2. Hearts desires will be granted
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
When you delight in the Lord, He will supply the desires of your heart. The Lord Jesus Christ is alive who will fulfil all your desires in Him.
He will do miraculous things in the lives of people who have faith and desires in Him. He will fulfil the desires of those who fear the Lord and those who are righteous.
3. Good Medicine
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
As you have a joyful heart, you would also enjoy good health, strength and peace. “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Prov. 17:22). “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Prov. 15:13).
Once a lady went to a dentist for pain in her tooth. The doctor examined her and said that a tooth had to be extracted. But she had high Blood Pressure and therefore he advised her to seek the help of another doctor. That doctor started speaking jokingly about various things and then he examined her and found her BP normal. Then the dentist removed the tooth. She also got well. So a merry heart is like medicine.
4. The Lord Meets Him
“You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways...” Isaiah 64:5
The Almighty God meets a joyous man. This is something great. Let us be happy in the Lord in all situations even in the midst of inability, shortage, defeats and sorrows. The Lord of lords would meet us, teach us and guide us. He will exalt us.
May the Lord bless us!
In the service of Christ Jesus,
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.