"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Joy
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12In Philippians 1:4 Paul says that he always prays for the Philippians with joy. There are another four references to joy in the letter (1:15, 2:2, 2:29 and 4:1). Joy was clearly an important part of Paul’s life.
How do you remain joyful as you prepare for the biggest event of your life? How do you deal with the pressure and weight of expectation on you?
Isaiah says that God promises that if you trust him he will give you joy. What a great picture of the trees clapping their hands and the mountains singing. We had better join in!!
The source of our joy is not our achievements or performance – otherwise our life could be something of a roller-coaster. The source of our joy is knowing that God loves us more than we can imagine. As Jesus said “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20)
With that in mind go out and compete for all you are worth! I cannot promise that all the trees of the field will clap their hands as you run round the track but God will be glorified if you win or lose with joy.