Joy

As Jesus Christ our Messiah and King came into the world in a lowly manger, the angels announced the good news that a Savior has been born. This video illustration to proclaims the Joy that Christ brings during the Christmas season or any time of the year. May this video help us rediscover the joy of the miraculous virgin birth and the prophecy fulfilled in scripture.

Periods of sadness and even depression can enter the lives of even the most devout Christians. Job wished he died at birth (Job 3:11). David wanted to wander far away from reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5).

So how can we overcome our times of joylessness? We can follow the lead of these same people. Job said that, if we pray, God will restore us to joy and righteousness (Job 33:26). David realized that study and knowing the Bible can bring us joy (Psalm 19:8). He also realized that we need to praise God even in the midst of despair (Psalm 42:5). In Elijah's case, God let him rest for a time and then sent Elisha to help him (1 Kings 19:19-21).

We also need friends that we can share our hurts, hang-ups and habits with (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). It is so helpful to share our troubles and feelings with fellow Christians. We may be surprised to find that they are struggling with same things we do. So join us on Thursday evenings at Celebrate Recovery to start dealing with things that you are hanging onto from the past! I have seen so many changed lives in this program! I have also witnessed the joy the Lord brings to the people of these changed lives!

Let’s compare joy to happiness. One place happiness can be found in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 24:5, which says “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.” Here happiness can be compared to eros love. As I discussed in last week’s posting, the weakness of eros love is that it is based more on self-benefit, rather than self-sacrifice. Eros love benefits you rather than the other person or God. I believe the same is true of happiness. Happiness is fleeting since it usually depends on things outside of us for our self-benefit.

Joy, on the other hand, is being truly content which comes from internal factors like our faith in the Lord. True joy is everlasting and not dependent upon circumstances. It is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ, which is itself an everlasting source of joy.

Joy comes from knowing God promises Heaven, and the hope (guarantee) of eternal life, when you trust that Jesus paid the death penalty for sin in your place.

Joy comes from the peace of having God dwelling in us. We need to clear our hearts and minds of all the junk in our lives to make room for Him to dwell within us. “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” (Romans 15:13).

Joy comes from love, which is knowing and obeying God's Commands. As this is practiced, love grows from knowing and obeying, to being based upon our decisions to give of ourselves expecting no self-benefit. As we make such decisions to give, honest and true feelings of love will develop.

One of my favorite passages is Nehemiah 8:10, which states, “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This was the secret of Nehemiah’s success! At 446 B.C., Nehemiah prayed without ceasing, and then he acted on his prayer. He not only restored the fallen Jerusalem, but the people's obedience to God. After completing most of his mission, he went back to Persia, but had to return to Jerusalem restore the Law of God after the people went back to their defiant ways, including defiling the Sabbath and idolatry - the very same reasons that caused the destruction of the city in the first place.

Paul experienced true joy. Writing from prison after being severely beaten and chained, Paul encouraged the believers of Philippi with a letter whose theme is “Rejoice." He shows that joy is something you choose to have in spite of your circumstances. He is celebrating! Even though he was out of action, many other people have stepped up and are spreading the Word (Philippians 1:12). Paul states in Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In order to have true joy in your life, a relationship with Jesus must be the most important thing in your life. You develop this relationship by worshiping Him, praying to Him, reading and studying His Word, trusting Him, obeying Him and serving Him. Secondly, to have joy in your life you must follow the “Great Commandment.” You must place the needs of others before yourself.

What is the joy of the Lord?

What most brings you spiritual joy?

How do you live a life of rejoicing in the coming of the Lord?

What are you struggling with and need to seek God to change?

How do I prepare each day to meet the Lord?

How have you experienced joy by helping others?