Dick B.
© 2005. All rights reserved

“We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. We cannot subscribe to the belief that this life is a vale of tears, though it once was just that for many of us. But it is clear that we made our own misery. God didn’t do it” (Alcoholics Anonymous 4th ed, p. 133). And here’s what the Good Book told those folks:

The LORD Made Them Joyful

Ezr 6:22b: . . . the LORD had made them joyful, . . .

Neh 8:10b: . . . neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Neh 12:43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

Isa 29:19 The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Rom 5:11b: . . . but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

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Copyright © Dick B.