Joy is … ____________________.

“Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart
they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
(1 Chronicles 29:9) [ESV]

I can receive JOY by …

1. … embracing my pain and troubles.

“The work to be done is tremendous…” (1 Chronicles 29:1) [TEV]

“I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.” (2 Corinthians 7:4) [MSG]

“I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.” (John 15:11) [NCV]

2. … facing life’s realities.

“We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” (1 Chronicles 29:15) [NLT]

“… everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord …” (1 Chronicles 29:11)

“Riches and honor come from you alone …” (1 Chronicles 29:12) [NLT]

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us!” (1 Chronicles 29:14) [NLT]

“O Lord our God, even these materials that we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name come from you! It all belongs to you!” (1 Chronicles 29:16) [NLT]

I can leave JOY by …

• … praying for the next generation.

“O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes.” (1 Chronicles 29:18)

• … preparing the next generation.

“Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, decrees, and principles, and to build this Temple, for which I have made all these preparations.” (1 Chronicles 29:19) [NLT]