ZION: JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH

Beautiful for situation, the JOY of the whole earth, is MOUNT ZION, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King – Psalm 48:2           

Many people dissociate joy from church. They think of church and Christianity as tasteless tablets that must be endured rather than enjoyed. They equate godliness with gloominess. But the Bible declares that in God’s presence is Fullness of Joy; at His right hand are pleasures forever (Ps. 16:11). How then can the gathering of God’s people be devoid of joy? The sacredness of church and sobriety of Christianity should never imply sadness or gloom.

ZION is full of JOY: “Beautiful for situation, the JOY of the whole earth, is MOUNT ZION, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” (Ps.48:2). Zion is the Habitation of God: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation…” (Ps 132:13). Hebrews 12:22-24 portrays Mount Zion as the Church of God – temporal and eternal. In addition, Zion is the place of His praises, for God “inhabits the praises of Israel” (Ps.22:3).

Every believer in Christ is a citizen of Zion, living physically on earth. Citizens of Zion are branded by a lifestyle of Joy: “…and her saints shall shout for JOY” (Ps.132:16). We have no partnership with gloom. We have no alliance with agony. The Joy of the whole earth flows from Zion. Why? Because Zion is the city of liberty! Captivity is contrary to Zion. One key Secret of Joy is therefore to ABIDE IN ZION!

In Zion, the Oil of Joy cancels mourning, beauty replaces ashes, and the garment of praise the spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:2).  Also, “the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with SINGING, with everlasting JOY on their heads. They shall obtain JOY and GLADNESS, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa.35:10). David cherished Zion: “I was GLAD when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Ps.122:1). Are you a citizen of Zion? Are you truly abiding in Zion? Is your heart established in Zion? To what extent are you partaking of and manifesting the Joy of the Lord in Zion?