HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

Joy

“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

Sometimes we Christians tend to downplay the meaning of joy. But, the Greek word translated as “joy” in Galatians 5 means “gladness and delight” – basically the same thing the world means when it talks about joy. It is a feeling of gladness based on our circumstances.

Sadly, the world’s joy cannot last because it is based on fleeting, physical circumstances. But the joy of the Lord is established in our spiritual, eternal circumstances. As we cling tight to Jesus, abiding daily in our saving relationship with Him, we will experience the fullness of joy He promised (John 15:4-11).

Joy is a belief of the heart. It’s an internal emotion that never changes regardless of your situation.  When times get tough, I still have joy because I am a child of God and my eternal life is secure.  He will never leave me or forsake me. I have the joy of the Lord.

Whereas happiness can come and go, joy can abide internally because we have the love of Christ. And it does not change when times get tough.  But as you’ll see from the following scriptures, joy comes from the Lord.  How do we claim that joy as our own?  It’s through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:12

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Roman’s 15:13

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Roman’s 14:17

CONTINUES TOMORROW …