It is the Lord our God and only the Lord who sustains our joy! The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Webster’s dictionary defines joy as:
- 1a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT
- b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY
- 2: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS
- 3: a source or cause of delight
In the natural we can see joy as it is defined by Webster’s. We can see people celebrating; there is laughter and smiling faces. We can see joy at weddings, during the Christmas season, and other types of festivities. We also understand that there is a source or cause driving this type of joy. However, this type of joy, something that is driven by a circumstance or event is not sustainable.
Let’s look at the first definition for instance. What happens when our well-being becomes threatened by a bad report from the doctor? Or when our success is quickly cut off because we lost our job? What happens when that wedding that brought so much joy dissolves? What happens when our good fortune turns into a series of bad events and suddenly all those possessions that brought us joy are gone? Do you still have joy?
So joy as it’s defined in the dictionary can be said to be an emotion and the expression associated with it obtain through some source or cause that provides a state of happiness.
Joy comes from the Hebrew root word sâmêach, saw-may’-akh; from H8055; blithe or gleeful:—(be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing). The root ś-m-ḥ denotes being glad or joyful with the whole disposition indicated by it’s association with the heart, the soul and the lighting up of the eyes.
Joy, as used in the Bible, is defined as:
- joy, mirth, gladness
- mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
- joy (of God)
- glad result, happy issue
While similar to the Webster’s dictionary definition, the Lord and His salvation are cited most frequently as the reason for joy. The following is a list of scripture that reflect that statement:
- But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
- I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
- Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
- Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
- Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” - But the king shall rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.
- The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory.
- Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
- Make us glad according to the days [in which] You have afflicted us, The years [in which] we have seen evil.
- For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10 NKJV
I love the picture of this little girl. That’s what the Joy of the Lord looks like. Her face and eyes are turned up to God with outstretched arms. You can tell she is smiling with her whole heart and soul, and it can be seen in her eyes. This is the only type of joy that can be sustained, or course that is my opinion, but I stand by it.
There is an undeniable difference between the emotion of joy or happiness and having the joy of the Lord.
Can I Testify To The Joy Of The Lord?
During the most trying years of my life, I had no joy, no peace. As a result, it caused me to become unpleasant to be around. I had become an unapproachable person. I image the darkness in me was so tangible people just stayed away. Did I smile? Sure. Did I have days that brought me joy as it’s defined in the dictionary? Of course I did. But, what I didn’t have was God, and what I couldn’t find was a sense of peace that is associated with the joy of the Lord. The bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength. When it came time for me to really make a choice regarding who I was going to serve the Lord or the world, the choice was easy. This world has nothing to offer me that is of any eternal value. When I choose God, my life changed for good. God changed me on the inside that flowed over to how I reacted on the outside. He changed me, He changed my reactions, He changed and continues to change my family relationships. But the gift of peace and joy that I have gained and am able to sustained no matter my circumstances is priceless, because the joy of the Lord truly is my strength. It is truly a peace in any circumstance that passes all understanding.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day [is] holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
Joy is a gift that we receive from the Holy Spirt. Galatians 5:22-23 states “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NKJV
