I am blessed with two different joys in life. My first joy – joy in the Lord, is what blesses me with my second joy – Joy, my daughter. Both joys fill my heart with love and thankfulness, but since the former created of the latter, I’ll acknowledge His joy first.
1.Joy always brings God glory. Though joy manifests itself in many forms, pure joy is born in/from/with the Lord. Joy is both a feeling and an action and no matter the circumstance, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says we should: Rejoice always. I am happy to always rejoice in the Lord.
2. Joy comes from God’s compassion. The unknown author of Psalm 94:19 was apparently suffering uneasiness and agitation over a certain situation, yet he stood-fast as he proudly proclaimed: When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. That author also rejoiced in the Lord always.
3. Joy came in the form of a baby. The world was blessed the night the angel spoke to shepherds in Bethlehem proclaiming great news! Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. The birth of our savior brings great rejoicing.
4. Joy is gained from believing and receiving Jesus’ blessing. A blessing which comes through faith. 1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Eternal salvation merits eternal rejoicing!
5. Joy is produced from being tested. And all of us are tested. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Finding strength breeds powerful rejoicing!
6. Joy is freely given when you request it from God. God knows our need, but desires we ask. John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Receiving gifts initiates thankful rejoicing.
7. Joy comes from trusting in God. And the action of trusting God fills us with the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 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. Being filled with the Spirit always creates heart-felt rejoicing.
Yes, my feelings and actions of joy are blessings from the Lord. But a special blessing happened to my husband and I in 1993. After seven years of trying to conceive, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. We named her Joy. This new life gave me physical joy I could actually touch, feel and hug!
Joy is the one who inspires my deeper search for God’s Word. Sometime during high school years, Jesus Christ entered her heart. Now Joy demonstrates daily how wonderful life lived in Christ truly feels. Her actions towards others, her choice of paths, her dedication to Jesus all demonstrate to me what it means to follow God’s Word and rejoice in Christ.
My baby girl Joy just finished her second year at Dallas Theological Seminary, a blessing I never expected twenty-four years ago. And this Saturday, Joy will marry a wonderful young man of God; a joyful blessing my husband and I prayed for her. It’s delightful to watch God direct her life as she starts down a new path, hand-in-hand with her loving man of God, Zack. I pray together they rejoice always in the Lord.
To God goes the glory there is joy in/from/with the Lord. Though we do nothing to deserve it, He gives it to us freely and I am grateful. True joy comes through His mercy and grace and I love experiencing His joy.
And… to God goes the glory for giving me daughter Joy! She is the one introducing me to a true loving relationship with our living God, Jesus Christ. God’s light shines through Joy which helps me find joy.
Are you rejoicing in the Lord today? If not, accept and acknowledge God’s joy of salvation He offers to each of us through His son, Jesus Christ. Then feel the Holy Spirit’s power overflow in you.
Lift Him Up 