The bible speaks much about joy; within its pages lies an assured source of joy and contentment. It tells us that joy is one of the gifts of God; a gift not only for us, but one that is given to us by God himself. Joy is a gift, but it is also a choice. We can choose to have joy, to create joy in our lives. We can choose to find joy in our circumstances or in the life God has given us.
The bible speaks of joy in various ways, from the joyous nature of our relationship with God to the joy of living in the Spirit. One key way that joy is described in scripture is an inner joy that comes from the peace and satisfaction we experience when walking in the footsteps of Jesus. This in-dwelling joy is like a friendly fire, a light that gives life and sustenance to everything around it. In the midst of dark and difficult circumstances, such joy remains at the core of our being.
God tells us that joy comes from trusting in him. In Psalm 28:7, David declares: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Joy is achieved by trusting in God and allowing him to be our source of strength and hope, even in times of trial and hardship. When we trust God, we can experience a joy that surpasses our understanding.
The bible also speaks of joy being produced by celebration and thanksgiving. In Psalm 100, the psalmist declares: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Joy is often produced through rejoicing and praising God for his faithfulness and goodness. Not only does this bring us joy, it also shows God our love and adoration.
The bible also speaks about joy as being produced through good works. It tells us that “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). This means that when we put forth effort in living for Jesus, we will inevitably experience a joy that transcends any challenge or difficulty we face. Doing what is right brings Jesus into our hearts, bringing true and lasting joy.
The bible shows us that joy is something that everyone should be pursuing in life. We should be seeking out God’s joy and allowing it to fill us and sustain us through both good times and bad. We should be actively choosing joy in our day-to-day lives, so that we can experience the deeper joy that God offers us. This joy will last forever.
Joy Through Scripture
Our walk with Jesus is a continual source of joy, satisfaction, and peace. Scripture is full of passages that remind us of the joy God provides us each day. Romans 15:13 is an example of this, with Paul writing: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As we faithfully follow the Lord’s will, our joy increases as our trust in him grows.
Scripture also reminds us that joy is something to be shared. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to “rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” To fully enjoy the joy of our faith, we must be able to express it to others and share it with the world around us. In this way, we can truly experience the joy God has given us.
The bible also exhorts us to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This speaks to the sort of joy that is inspired by hope and faith. We can draw joy from being in the presence of God’s Spirit, knowing that he is with us always. In difficult times, when the future looks uncertain, it can be helpful to remember that joy can be found in staying focused on Jesus.
In our walk with Jesus, we are granted joy in various forms. Whether it’s an inner joy from being in the presence of the Lord, joy that comes from celebrating with others, joy in the good works we do, or joy that comes from understanding God’s character, joy is found in many aspects of a Christian life.
Joy Through Proclamation
Joy can be proclaimed through the sharing of the gospel. Whenever we share Jesus’s redeeming grace and unconditional love with others, it can bring us and them incredible and lasting joy. Sharing our faith with others can also help deepen our joy by bringing to light just how much Jesus has done for us. This type of proclamation does not have to be a public, grandiose affair.
We can proclaim the joy of faith through our words and deeds. We can proclaim the Lord’s love and mercy by the way we live our lives. By walking in a manner that reflects our faith, we can share with others the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. We can also proclaim joy through intentional acts of service and compassion toward others. As we demonstrate love in practical ways, the joy of Jesus can be seen and felt all around us.
Our joy in Christ can also be proclaimed through worship and prayer. We can recognize how great a gift Jesus is to us and how precious a gift salvation is. Worshipping God fills us with joy and reminds us just how much he loves us. Praying to him unites us with him, and being connected to Jesus is the surest way of experiencing joy.
In our proclamation of joy, we should remember that Jesus desires us to be a light in this dark world. Thus, we should share our joy in such a way that points others to the Lord and encourages them to find rest in him. When proclaiming joy, our ultimate goal should always be to point people to Jesus and invite them to experience the life-giving joy that only comes from his unfailing love.
Joy Through Community
Our joy in Christ can be bolstered and sustained through community. When we’re surrounded by friends and family who share a common faith, we experience a greater fervor that cherishes and extols the Lord. Our joy then magnifies, reflecting the collective joy found in our connections to each other and to Jesus.
Through community, we can also harness joy as one body of believers. When we live a life in service to others, we’re more likely to trust God’s will and to understand his bigger purpose. As we all pursue Jesus, we can find joy with each other by sharing what God has done and still does.
No matter what we’re doing, when we’re within a circle of faith-filled people, we can find more joy in Christ. There is a comfort and assurance that comes from being in a safe and loving environment, and for many of us that’s in the church. We can share our stories and struggles with each other, and learn to trust in the Lord more fully through our conversations.
Also, when we’re in community, we can have a safe space for struggling and rebuking if necessary. If any of us slips up and does something that we shouldn’t, we can go to the other members and ask for their help. We can inspire and strengthen each other in knowing that God’s grace and love never ceases and that even in times of darkness there is still joy.
Joy Through Action
Living out our faith in meaningful ways is an important component of joy. The more we pursue Jesus, the more we can experience his joy in ways that have a lasting impact. Engaging with God’s Word, praying, and sharing with others are all great vehicles for joy. But if we really want to experience a profound joy, then taking action is the way to go.
When we step out in obedience, Jesus gives us an enlarged capacity for joy that could only come from him. Taking action leads to a deeper understanding of our faith and opens up more opportunities for joy. We can begin to see the impact of our work, and not just in ourselves, but in others. This leads to a greater joy that can’t be obtained any other way.
Also, when we take action, we’re demonstrating our faith to the world. When we courageously put our trust in Jesus, his joy is seen in all that we do. We can then rejoice with those around us, pointing to Jesus as the source of our joy. This type of joy cascades from generation to generation, spreading further and further until the whole world knows of Jesus’s joy and love.
God desires for us to experience the joy of his presence and to share that joy with others through our words, actions, and deeds. When we remember His promise of joy, we can live with faith and freedom, trusting that his plan for us will be full of both hope and joy. As we faithfully rely on Jesus, we can be assured that he will provide us with the abiding joy that he alone can give.
A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.
