Jump For Joy!

Have you ever been so glad that you jumped for joy? Well, it’s biblical. King David entered Jerusalem, “leaping and dancing before the Lord.” (2 Samuel 6:16) He was celebrating the presence of God coming to town.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, “the baby leaped inside her” (Luke 1:41) Like with David, the presence of God in Mary caused baby John to jump for joy.

When Peter healed the lame man, “He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:8)

Jesus even commands jumping for joy. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:23)

That’s a mind-boggling verse when you read the verse just before it. “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23) Jesus was forewarning His disciples that following Him was going to make them very unpopular. Instead of crying about it, Jesus tells to jump for joy!

It’s the same for Christ followers today. The world hates those of us who stand for holiness and proclaim Jesus is the only way to God. The temptation would be for us to whine and complain when mistreated. Jesus says we should jump for joy when they hate us and insult us. Why? Because there is great reward for our obedience awaiting us in heaven.

Believer, we are fighting a spiritual war, and “the joy of the Lord is our strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10) The devil wants to rob us of strength by stealing our joy.

Maybe it’s physically impossible for you to jump for joy. Perhaps you’re going through a difficult time and it’s been hard to even find joy. God understands. That’s why Jesus tells us . . .

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love…These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9,11)

Joy doesn’t come from jumping. Joy is the byproduct of knowing Christ loves us just as much as His Father loves Him! It’s the result of being in His presence.

“In Your presence is fullness of Joy.” Psalms 16:11.

So let’s rejoice! God is with us, and He is never leaving!

“We can do nothing but leap for joy all day long, for we know who You are and what You do, and You’ve exalted us on high!” Psalm 89:16 TPT