The Truth about JOY
What is joy? Joy is a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. Joy was expressed in great ways in the Holy Writ. First of all, Joy is used 59 times in the NT and rejoice is used 74 times. On numerous occasions we find it being used in the OT. During the time of Ezra when the elderly saw the foundation of the Temple laid, they shouted aloud with joy (Ezra 3.12-13). The Psalmist understood the meaning of joy in the midst of heartache, he said, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning…” (30.5). When the Lord was born to His virgin mother, the glory of the Lord shone around and the angel of the Lord said, “do not be afraid for behold, I bring good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2.9-10).
Friends, are you joyous? Are you aware of the joy we should have is not dependent upon the situations and circumstances of and in life? When Jesus was being beaten for sin (which He never committed) the Hebrews writer stated this about His attitude, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12.2). You see friends, if Christ had joy enduring the scourging and cross, we must muster up the courage and strength to endure to the end.
So what is hindering us from having the joy the apostle Paul spoke of in Philippians 4.4? He said, “rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice”. Some sixteen (16) times the word “joy” or “rejoice” is used in the Philippians. Some have no idea what true joy is nor do they have an idea of how to apply it to their lives. The cheerfulness, calm delight and gladness the Lord desires from us is predicated upon the salvation we have in Christ. Our prayers should be with joy (1.4). Our unity and oneness should be with joy (2.2). Our fellowship is saturated with joy, therefore we see one another in that way (4.1). Again, Paul realized that his joy came in knowing he had eternal life (Acts 20.24). Shouldn’t we rejoice in knowing we have assurance in Christ Jesus leading us to eternal life?
Jesus came that we may have a life filled with joy. This is indeed a life of happiness, which can be had in Christ when abiding by His word (John 16.24). When we understand the power of the gospel, and see people converting to Christ, great joy should be among us and in our congregations (Acts 8.8). If not, why not? So the next time someone obeys the gospel or rededicates their life to the Lord, let’s rejoice knowing what it took for them to make that decision and aid them along the way. Paul told the brethren to rejoice with them that do rejoice… (Rom. 12.15). What a perfect opportunity to grab that brother or sister and rejoice with them for their decision in the Lord (1 Cor. 12.26). It will be through the great fellowship, we may be able to rejoice evermore with the new convert or restored brother or sister (1 Thess. 5.16).
We have so much to be thankful for and words cannot express the joy we should have towards God and His Son. Therefore, let’s continue to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit’s teaching, knowing the results are going to be fruitful and beneficial for all we come in contact with on a daily basis (Romans 8.2; Gal. 5.16). Remember to remind yourself of the atonement you received at baptism through the blood of Christ and keep thanking God for His blessed salvation that God granted us in Christ (Rom. 5.11). So the truth about joy is this, we can know that God is for us and we will spend eternity with Him as long as we stay faithful. We can have joy in knowing we have the abundant life and no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Jn. 10.10; Isa. 54.17). May God continue bless us and keep us.
Article written by Mike Bonner