The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you always.
God be praised for the gift of life and the privilege to see the second month of the year. Our focus for this month is Joy
What is Joy?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Joy as a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being. To a Christian, Joy is an emotion that involves feeling intense and long-lasting happiness and contentment. It doesn’t have to come from success, good fortune, good news, a sense of well-being, etc.
There are two types of joy. There is the joy that is a reaction to happy events (which is temporary), and there is the joy that happens in spite of circumstances (which is strong and lasting). We can only get this strong and lasting joy by following God faithfully and living in righteousness and obedience. Let me emphasize that happiness is based on events, and success is a good part of life, but it does not count as joy because we can’t constantly keep creating happy events or expect happy events to happen to us constantly to keep us elated.
The joy that comes from God don’t need perpetual events to keep us happy as children of God. We learn how to develop inner joy in spite of circumstances, because we know that no matter what happens, God offers us hope and promises that will never fail. That is where the difference lies.
Where does Joy come from?
a. Joy comes from God’s love, which does not depend on who we are, our circumstances, or our performance or our achievements. Because we know how great his love for us really is, we are not moved by the things of the world, hence we receive strength to face every situation daily from the love of God. Neh 8:10 -The joy of the Lord is your strength!.
b. Joy comes from having a personal relationship with God. True joy is found in God’s presence. The psalmist declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps16:11).
c. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. Joy is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit and not merely an emotion.
“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal 5:22)”.
This joy flows from a life surrendered to Christ and is nurtured through fellowship with Him. The presence, gift, and baptism of the Holy Spirit produces joy as a fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Plus, the Holy Spirit will begin to guide you and advise you to make decisions that will bring you greater joy.
D. Joy comes from being grateful to God. 1 Thes 5:16-18TPT
“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. [18] And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
The Lord Himself is the wellspring of true joy. The more we love him, know him, walk with him, and become like him, the greater our joy. We will find lasting joy in heaven, but we can experience great joy now from walking with God. Ps 68:3; Ps 146:5; Ps 86:4;
Joy Springs from Salvation.
Is it possible to be joyful when there’s nothing materially?
Habakkuk 3:17-18 – Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in
the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Without material possessions, a Christian will still find joy in the Lord.
How can I become more joyful?
i. Heb 12:2 says 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. We can find more joy by focusing our eyes on Jesus. Following Him leads to the greatest joy one will ever experience.
ii. Fear the Lord and trust His word completely. With this attitude, you will begin to have delight in obeying His commandments and instructions. Obeying God will spare you from many unhappy and heart-wrenching experiences. Ps 112:1 – Praise ye the LORD.
Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
iii. Dwelling in God’s presence continuously. Ps.16:8-9 says I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Joy comes from God’s presence with us and this brings true contentment. Pursue a closer relationship with God, and you will experience the joy of seeing God work more actively in your life.
iv. Pray for the fruits of the Holyspirit.
CONCLUSION
Christians should ask for the joy of the Lord always because the joy we experience now
is a foretaste of the eternal joy to come. Revelation paints a picture of this future: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21:4). In His presence, we will dwell in everlasting joy, free from the sorrows of this world. So we should live in Joy with others because Joy is not merely a feeling to pursue but a gift to embrace and a calling to fulfill. It is a reflection of God’s work in us, a mark of His kingdom, and a witness to His glory. Let us, therefore, walk in joy, confident in His promises and steadfast in His love. The One who has called us is faithful, and His joy will sustain us now and forever.