We’re continuing our word of the year series with a focus on the word JOY this week. (Be sure to listen to last week’s episode on Trust and Isaiah 40 if you missed it).

This week, I want to introduce you to a study tool in the back of your Bible called the concordance. A concordance is an alphabetical index of words used in the Bible and the main Bible references where the word occurs. This week, I’m using my concordance to help me study the word joy.

I loved this phrase in my concordance. It's from 1 Peter 1:8 and it says, “an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Inexpressible and glorious? That is the kind of joy that I want to find!

That is the kind of joy that I want to invite all of you to find as well. I flipped back over to 1 Peter, and much to my surprise, even though this is a familiar passage, it still struck me anew when I read it. So let me read you our passage for today, and then we're going to walk through our Bible study method.

This joy is intriguing because it's mentioned in the context of suffering and trials, challenging us to understand how we can experience such profound joy amidst difficulties.

We start by asking, "What does it say?" and realize that to understand the passage fully, we need to consider the preceding verses. Peter is essentially pulling us into a huddle, reminding us of the living hope we have through Jesus Christ's resurrection and the inheritance that awaits us – imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

The joy mentioned is not dependent on external circumstances but is an internal energy that remains undisturbed by life's storms. It's accessible and available to us in Christ, though we may need to ask for it repeatedly.

So, if you're seeking joy or it's been absent from your life, perhaps this is your word and your year to embrace it. Remember, joy is always within reach, and it's our inheritance as believers in Christ.

RESOURCES:

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