Joy: What is it?
The American Dictionary defines Joy as: “The emotion of great happiness.”
The Hebrew word for Joy is: Simcha which means: “Happiness in the fullest sense.”
The Greek word for Joy is: Chairo which means: “To rejoice or be full of joy.”
What does God’s Word say about Joy?
“Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.” Prov. 15:21
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Prov. 17:22
“And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.” Ps. 97:11-12
“For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh. 8:10
My personal favorite verse of Joy is the last one:
Neh. 8:10, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
How many people do you know today admit they have never known true joy ? Many people may have had fleeting moments of happiness that quickly dispels once an encounter or experience is over. The absence of joy (once you have experienced it) is almost as painful of never having had it at all! At least you cannot miss what you do not know! People ask me all the time why I love the Lord so expressly. Why can’t I keep the Joy I have in Christ to myself?
Well, my friends, it is because I did not have joy for most of my life. I was an empty shell that craved true happiness, and searched in all the wrong places. The lack of it made me wonder if life was even worth the painful bother.
Then, I found unspeakable joy. I found that I was not alone, and that my daily struggles and pain could be covered by the Jesus that died on the cross two thousand years ago. I asked Him in my heart, and I felt joy. I felt peace. I was happier than I had ever been in my life, because I knew that not only was I forgiven of my sins, but I was free from them, too! I was going to heaven and I did not have to suffer in lonely isolation, God was with me! What kind of person would keep that to themselves? I found the antidote to life’s heavy issues and it hurts me NOT to try and help others with the things that I know now.
Do you want unspeakable joy? Ask for it!
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that you have given me the capacity to experience true joy. I also know that I must engage in joyful thoughts to make sure that my mind is set in that direction. Lord, help me to focus on the right verses this month as I choose to grow in Joy and grow in you. My Joy in you is my strength. It is also my testimony to people who are lost in this world searching for the answer to their depression. Lead the people to me that need the joy of you. Give me the wisdom to show them with my actions that you are alive today! You are alive and living in and through every believer that chooses to empower themselves with your Word and activate it by living in the ways you condone in it. In Jesus precious name, I ask for Joy to fill every believer so full, that the overflow will bring many to drink from the wells of everlasting life…which is you.
In Jesus name I pray all for the joy of you, Amen.”