Joy!

I was recently made aware that Joy was a topic I needed to explore more fully.  Then I began to look at what it meant to have joy.  What is joy? 

Joy is an essential spiritual practice growing out of faith, grace, gratitude, hope, and love.  There is one operative phrase here ‘spiritual practice’ which speaks louder than the rest of the description.  Joy stems from an abiding daily relationship with Christ and having a grateful heart for all He brings our way.  He brings us resource in or darkest trial or in our greatest victory.

James 1:3-4 (NIRV)

² My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. ³ Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. ⁴ The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.

James is not being condescending here by saying …”think of it as pure joy.”  What he is saying is look at the bigger picture.  God only tests those whom He loves.  And the goal of this testing is to become more like Christ.  To reflect His image in the middle of the testing.  That way you will demonstrate that you trust the Lord fully no matter what comes your way.

Noah Websters 1828 dictionary defines Joy this way:

JOY, n.

1. The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.

Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good.

Hebrews 8 18-27 (NIV)

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

We come to the Mountain of the Lord with singing and praise because of Christ.  His atonement has provided us the one way to have access into the presence of God.  Whereas we were once cut off and strangers to the promises of God (and even to God himself), we are now joint heirs with Christ, we can boldly approach God’s throne with confidence.  We can freely partake of the devine nature of Christ and be transformed into Christ’s very image.  I know it sounds corny, but in essence that is my joy, that I may put on Christ!

 Isaiah 51:11 (NASB)

So the ransomed of the Lord will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
And everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Joy has at it’s heart celebration.  I can celebrate my freedom from bondage to sin and that I am being changed daily into a new man.  I can also celebrate my acceptance into the family of God.  Gratitude and gratefulness is what propels Joy.

I have had many times when I have let the concerns of the day crowd in and rob me of my joy.  How easy it is to let the world tell me what will make me happy, when it is God who is telling me what will give me Joy.  It is that ‘spiritual practice’ which comes into play here, listening and obeying  (even when I don’t want to).  God want’s me to live a life of complete Joy in the freedom I have been given.  The key to Joy is walking in it.

John 15:11 (NASB)      (...Jesus speaking here...)

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Lord, thank you for Joy.  Joy for me is the outcome of my gratefulness to you for your love for me.  Increase my gratitude and thankfulness to you so that Joy may abound in my life.  You are so good!

Stephen Barnett

↓Click Here to listen to the song

I Give Thanks
(Brian Thiessen)

       

You have shown me favor unending
You have given Your life for me
And my heart knows of Your goodness
Your blood has covered me

I (We) will arise and give thanks to You
Lord my (our) God
And Your name I (we) will bless
With my (our) whole heart
You have shown mercy
You have shown mercy to me (us)
I (we) will give thanks to You, Lord

You have poured out Your healing upon us
You have set the captives free
And we know it is not what we have done
But by Your hand alone

(Bridge)
You, oh Lord, are the healer of my soul
You, oh Lord, are the Gracious Redeemer
You come to restore us again
Yes, You come to restore us again, and again

          Copyright © 1991 Mercy Publishing. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

The music above is copyrighted by the respective artists, and is demonstrated here for educational purposes only.

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