By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon
The Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters was aglow with reverence, hope, and spiritual intensity on Sunday, December 21, 2025 as worshippers gathered for a deeply moving service themed “Ending With Joy, Honour and Gladness.” The service drew believers into a reflective and faith-affirming encounter that emphasized God’s unfailing faithfulness as the enduring source of true joy.
Anchored on the Scriptures from Book of Esther 8:1–8, Epistle of James 1:2–4, and First Epistle of Peter 5:7, the message reinforced a central truth of the Christian walk: that joy is not circumstantial but covenantal, rooted in God’s faithfulness rather than human convenience.
Ministering on the topic “God’s Faithfulness: The Key to Our Joy,” the Youth President, Brother Damisi Adenikiju delivered a compelling exhortation that echoed strongly with congregants navigating diverse life challenges. He drew a clear distinction between happiness and joy, describing happiness as fleeting and situation-dependent, while joy, he noted, is a settled state of the mind anchored in trust in God.
“Joy,” he explained, “is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God in the midst of it. One can say, ‘I still have joy after all I have gone through,’ because God remains faithful even when circumstances are difficult.”
Using the biblical account of Queen Esther, Brother Adenikiju reminded the congregation that God specializes in turning looming calamities into public celebrations. What began as a threat to the survival of God’s people ended in honour, gladness, and national rejoicing, a pattern, he emphasized, that still defines God’s dealings with His people today.
He urged worshippers to hold firmly to God, assuring them that delayed joy is not denied joy. According to him, perseverance in faith is often the bridge between present trials and future testimonies. Drawing from James 1:2–4, he encouraged believers to view trials as instruments of spiritual growth rather than signs of divine abandonment.
A key emphasis of the sermon was intentional focus. Congregants were admonished to shift their attention away from the anxieties and distractions of the world and instead fix their gaze on eternal priorities, particularly the salvation of their souls.
Brother Adenikiju highlighted family, health, and children as gifts worthy of gratitude, even amid challenges, noting that gratitude fuels joy.
Referencing 1 Peter 5:7, he called on believers to cast all cares and worries upon God, stressing that anxiety thrives where trust is absent. He further cautioned against isolation, reminding the church of the importance of fellowship and community.
“Do not walk alone,” he advised. “Make good friends, godly-minded people who can strengthen your faith and remind you of God’s promises when your strength feels weak.”
The service concluded on a note of renewed assurance, as worshippers left with a reinforced conviction that joy is sustained not by material abundance or external success, but by a steadfast relationship with a faithful God. As one attendee reflected, the message was “a timely reminder that even when seasons change, God’s faithfulness remains constant.”
In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty, the Sunday service at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, stood as a resounding declaration that with God, every story can still end with joy, honour, and gladness.
Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon is a writer and Christian educator based in Abuja, Nigeria, with a passion for documenting faith-based initiatives and their impact on communities.
