Do you remember that song? I can't count how many times I sang that song as a kid. But could I say that it is still true of me as an adult? Do I really have joy in my heart? Do you?
Dictionary.com defines joy as "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation." I like to think of joy as pure happiness.
When we are living our lives day in and day out, going to work, eating, sleeping, washing dishes, doing laundry, paying bills, and so on and so on, it is easy to forget the reasons that we have been givens to be full of joy. I believe that remembering these reasons is what makes each day worth living and keeps the mundane, everyday tasks from being so monotonous.
Let's take a look at some of the examples in the Bible where joy is expressed. Luke 15 begins with the story of the lost sheep. Any shepherd if he loses one sheep, will leave the rest of his flock to go find that one lost sheep and when he finds it, will throw a party to celebrate. The last verse of that story says this "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (v7) There will be JOY in heaven when a sinner repents. Salvation is a cause for joy. Have you accept Christ as your Savoir? If you have, then you have reason to be joyful. Anytime we hear of someone repenting of their sins and coming to know Christ as Savoir, that is cause for joy.
Acts 15:3 says "So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers." This verse is just kind of thrown into the middle of a story about one of Paul and Barnabas' trips. There was some disagreement among the people about whether you had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Without going into great detail, Paul and Barnabas and some other men where picked to go to Jerusalem to straighten things out. Then comes verse three. "So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria..." I don't know if they stopped for a visit or if it was just a place for them to spend the night on their journey, but they ended up in Phoenicia and Samaria. At each of these stops as they were visiting with the believers there, they began to talk "in detail" about the Gentiles who were coming to Christ. And these stories caused GREAT JOY for those who heard them. Are you full of joy when you hear of a sinner repenting?
Another thing that brings joy is praising God. "My lips will shout for JOY, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed." (Psalm 71:23) After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples "worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with GREAT JOY, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:52-53) (emphasis mine) How can you be sad or unhappy when you are praising the One who gave His life for you? Praise God for your salvation, for the salvation of those you love, for always being by your side. I'm not saying you will never be sad. I'm saying, when you are sad, praise God and see what it can do to your mood.
In the Epistles of the New Testament, there are two things that I noticed about joy. In Philemon, Paul says that it brings him JOY to see the love that Philemon has for the saints because they are refreshed by him. (v7) Philemon loved his brothers and sisters in Christ and they knew it because his actions showed it and refreshed them. They were encouraged by him. It always makes me joyful when I see Christians reaching out to other Christians and encouraging them with their words or actions. Are you trying to encourage others in their walk with Christ? Do you have friends that can do this for you?
Another thing that brings joy is praising God. "My lips will shout for JOY, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed." (Psalm 71:23) After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples "worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with GREAT JOY, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:52-53) (emphasis mine) How can you be sad or unhappy when you are praising the One who gave His life for you? Praise God for your salvation, for the salvation of those you love, for always being by your side. I'm not saying you will never be sad. I'm saying, when you are sad, praise God and see what it can do to your mood.
In the Epistles of the New Testament, there are two things that I noticed about joy. In Philemon, Paul says that it brings him JOY to see the love that Philemon has for the saints because they are refreshed by him. (v7) Philemon loved his brothers and sisters in Christ and they knew it because his actions showed it and refreshed them. They were encouraged by him. It always makes me joyful when I see Christians reaching out to other Christians and encouraging them with their words or actions. Are you trying to encourage others in their walk with Christ? Do you have friends that can do this for you?
The last thing that I want to mention that can bring joy is trials. I know that seems hard to believe, but let's look at a couple of verses found in the book of James. "Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3) (emphasis mine) Trials are intended to make your faith stronger. That is reason for joy, knowing that when you come through the other side of this difficult time, you can be stronger because of an increase in your faith in Christ. That does not mean that it will be easy, but God has promised to never leave us. Will you choose to find joy in life by following the truths of the Bible?
