The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength

Joy is experienced through God's means of grace in the midst of life.

1. Knowledge of God's Word produces joy (Psalm 19:8; 119:16,111,162,165; Jer 15:16)

2. Worship evokes it (Psalm 42:4; 43:4; 46:4; 71:23; 100:1; Luke 24:52; James 5:13)

3. Obedience discovers it (Psalm 32:11; 64:10; 68:3; 69:32; 87:1-5; 97:11; 119:1; Prov 10:28; 13:9; 29:6)

4. Work fosters it (Deut 12:18; Ezra 6:22; Eccl 2:24,25).

Joy in the Christian life is in direct proportion to our everyday walk with Jesus and is a fruit of a Spirit-led life (Gal 5:22). We can rejoice because we are in the Him (Phil 4:4). Joy in the Lord enables us to enjoy all that God has given. We rejoice in our family (Prov 5:18), food (1 Tim 4:4-5), celebrations (Deut 16:13-15), and fellowship as we share with other Christians the joys and sorrows of life. The discovery of the true treasure of life brings joy (Matt 13:44). Missing the mark caused by sin robs a person of joy (Psalm 51:8,12).

In Jesus, we rejoice "with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). The Greek word translated as unspeakable is ‘abeklalaytos’ which means it is something that words are inadequate to express. The Greek word translated as “glory” is ‘doxazo’ which means splendor; to reflect God’s divine honor and reputation. When we are filled will joy we reflect the glory of God that will attract the lost like a moth to the flame. His joy which is beyond human comprehension or understanding. The "joy of the Lord" is the reward of faithfulness (Matt 25:21,23). Jesus confers His peace that passes all understanding and allows us to share in His permanent fullness of joy, in contrast, to transient earthy sorrows (John 14:27, 15:11; 16:22, 33,24, 17:13).

Both joy and hope that are derived from the human senses are no joy or hope at all. Hope does not disappoint when it is based upon the reality of God's love and built on the firm foundation of His written promises (Rom 5:5). Christians are not to depend on people or circumstances to find their joy because those are constantly changing, and God never does (Mal 3:6).

The joy of the Born-Again Christian is the result of overcoming adversity and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhance it (Acts 5:41; Rom 5:3; James 1:2,12; 5:11; 1 Peter 4:13; compare Matt 5:11-12).

Beloved, remember this great truth - Jesus, "for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame" (Heb 12:2 NIV – emphasis mine).