SPRINGS OF JOY

Joy and happiness are not the same things.

I know, Lord, that my happiness comes and goes.

I know, also, that my joy comes from You.

I want to learn to let that joy come to the surface

more than it seems to.

I am so blessed and so thankful that 

there is a deep abiding joy even on days when

circumstances dampen my happiness.

It’s down underneath whatever is going on.

It’s knowing You never leave me or forsake me.

It’s knowing You hear me when I pray.

It’s knowing You love me even when I don’t.

Still, I want to learn how to draw that to

the surface and express it in real life.

 

Joy does indeed live deep inside you.  It is part of who I am, and My Spirit took up residence within you when you surrendered your life to Me.  Springs of water, fountains, rivers, and wells are all pictures of My life running its course through you and holding a reservoir within you.

A spring, fountain, or river generally flows of its own accord.  It may start on the surface or deep underground, but it is always flowing and finding its way to greater release, leaving its blessing on whatever it touches.  A well collects the water and holds it.  A good well will always have a store of water for you to draw on, but it is something you must do intentionally.  You are blessed by and provided for by this reservoir of water that you can depend on when other sources have seemed to run dry.

In much the same way My Spirit and My joy are both a flowing stream and a held supply within you.  My life and joy proceed through you and find expression many times with little awareness on your part.

In other seasons you must come deliberately and draw from the provision of salvation, life, joy, and other aspects of My Spirit in order to be sustained.

It may seem easier to rejoice when My life flows easily, but you can also be joyful as you come to draw water from the springs of salvation I have provided for you, knowing that My supply can never run short of your need.

Do not forsake the fountain of living water to turn to broken cisterns that can hold no water.  I am the one who can take the dry and barren land or life and turn it into springs of water because I am the fountain of life.  You who thirst, come to Me.  In My compassion, I will lead you to springs of water, springs of My life and My joy that will never fail.

You, in turn, will become like a watered garden, a spring whose waters do not fail, a well of water springing up to eternal life from which rivers of living water flow.  All your springs of joy are found in Me.  All your wells of provision are secure in My Spirit.  Joy and every fruit of My Spirit are available in Me.  Come and draw freely with great joy and thanksgiving.

 

Isaiah 12:3; Jeremiah 2:13; Psalm 107:35; Psalm 36:8-9; Psalm 55:1;

Isaiah 58:11; John 4:14; John 7:38; Psalm 87:7