Joy

Joy is defined as ‘a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.’  There are several other words that come to mind when you think of the word, joy: elation, comfort, humor, satisfaction, bliss, gratification, just to name a few.

The key to the Christian’s joy is its source, which is the Lord.  Christian joy can be described as a good feeling.  It’s not an idea or it’s not something we’re commanded to do.

How can you rejoice in the Lord if you don’t know Him? You can only accomplish this joy through God’s Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit does things that we will never accomplish from our own will.  It opens the eyes of our heart so that we can see the beauty of Christ. 

As a Christian, you’ll be able to see joy in many things.  You’ll see joy in the people God puts in your life.  You’ll see joy in nature. 

The joy of the Lord is our strength.  This means that when we’re in the middle of a trial, we can find joy in God because we know we’re not alone.  We know that He’s fighting our battle.  We know that joy will come in the morning.

For the believer in Christ, the joy of the Lord comes as naturally as grapes on a vine.  God doesn’t promise that joy makes logical sense for the circumstance.  He does promise that He will provide joy when we trust Him.

Psalm 30:5 – “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”