Topical Bible: The Joy of God Over his People: Leads to Him: Comfort Them

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The concept of God's joy over His people is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the deep and abiding love that God has for those who are His. This joy is not merely an emotional response but is deeply connected to His covenantal relationship with His people, leading Him to comfort them in times of distress and need.

Divine Joy and Comfort

God's joy over His people is often depicted as a source of comfort and reassurance. In the book of Zephaniah, we find a vivid portrayal of this divine joy: "The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). This passage highlights the intimate connection between God's joy and His comforting presence. His rejoicing is not distant or detached; it is an active, loving engagement with His people, bringing peace and solace.

The Shepherd's Care

The imagery of God as a shepherd further illustrates His joy and comfort. In Isaiah 40:11, it is written, "He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young" . Here, God's joy in His people is expressed through His tender care and guidance, providing comfort and security. The shepherd's joy is in the well-being of his flock, and so it is with God and His people.

The Comfort of Redemption

God's joy is also manifest in the redemption and restoration of His people. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet declares, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness" . This joy is reciprocal; as God delights in His people, they find comfort and joy in His salvation. The garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness are symbols of God's redemptive work, bringing comfort to His people by restoring them to a right relationship with Him.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in conveying God's joy and comfort to His people. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). The Holy Spirit is the agent through whom God's joy and comfort are experienced, filling believers with hope and peace.

The Joy of the Lord as Strength

The joy of the Lord is also described as a source of strength for His people. Nehemiah 8:10 states, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength" . This joy is not only a comfort but also an empowering force that enables believers to endure trials and challenges. It is a reminder that God's presence and delight in His people provide the fortitude needed to persevere.

Conclusion

The joy of God over His people is a multifaceted theme that encompasses His love, care, redemption, and empowerment. It leads Him to comfort His people, providing peace, security, and strength. Through His joy, God assures His people of His unwavering commitment and presence, inviting them to rest in His love and find solace in His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 65:19
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The God of all Comfort
... present, and always ready to give us "joy for mourning ... for every care or sorrow all
the wide world over. ... and carry them for us; the Almighty God, the Creator of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm

A Message from God for Thee
... because they published good tidings of great joy, or as ... That sorrowing young woman
over yonder thinks that no one ... to thee, thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a message from god for.htm

The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of his People
... By his God he leaps over a wall, or breaks through a troop. ... I am to do; I am anxious
to follow the Lord fully." Well, then, if your joy in God leads you to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the joy of the lord.htm

Out of the Deep of Suffering and Sorrow.
... For Christ Himself went not up to joy, but first He suffered ... are; and in the King
whom He has set over it we ... again, for us He sits for ever at God's right hand ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/i out of the deep.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God ... As the
bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

Comfort for the Desponding
... of his people live in almost constant joy, and find ... give them some exhortation which
may by God's help be ... They could wish for their young days over again, that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/comfort for the desponding.htm

The Shepherd King of Israel
... its course, and great stones that fling a black shadow over the dewy ... God, but work
for God is the perpetuation of joy in God ... God leads His people through sorrow ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the shepherd king of israel.htm

Jesus Announces his Departure.
... The parent mourns over the son who in mere waywardness leaves his ... ourselves as much
fuller of life and deeper in joy as we are nearer to God, the source of ...
/.../viii jesus announces his departure.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... off," and all his bowels yearned over him""he had ... knowledge, and especially the
knowledge of God, into the ... Since the apostasy, children are the joy of parents ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

It Pleased the Lord to Bruise Him
... an act of love for God to give his Son over to such ... he if the sacred record told
only of joy and peace ... chastises us, it is "for our profit"; if God smites, it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirteen it pleased the.htm