Study Notes
Where Has The Joy Gone?
Joel 1:1-20
August 1, 2010
Like a Tree
Week 45
Learning by heart (tip): David declared in Psalm 16:8, “I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” David stood firm in his faith because he kept God close to his heart. You keep God close to your heart by recounting His Word over and over again. Learn God’s Word by heart and you will keep God close to your heart as well.
Finding the gospel (hint): Can you find the gospel in Joel 1:12?
- Read John 15:5-11. What does Jesus say about joy in this passage? Is there a connection between His words and those of Joel? Where does joy come from?
- Our text reminds us that God wants us to experience joy. Read these passages from Luke’s gospel to learn how joy and Jesus are connected: Luke 1:44, 2:10, 6:23, 10:17, 24:41, and 24:52.
Living witnesses (today): Joel reminds us that sin withers our joy. The only medicine on the market is to return to God. That’s why you’re here in church this morning. There are two ways you can return to God today. First, Psalm 139:23-24 invites you to ask God to search your heart and show you the sin in your life. Second, James 5:16 invites you to confess your sin to someone else along with God to receive His healing joy. Which is God calling you to do today?
Praying scripture (now): “God of joy, I feel joyless today. It’s been a long time since I truly rejoiced in you. I’m sensing that I need to come clean with my sin. Your divine displeasure and discipline is painful. So right now I ask you to help me return to you with all my heart. Give me the strength I need to flee sin and follow your Son, Jesus Christ. Restore to me the joy of your salvation! In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”